UC-NRLF 


REESE  LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 
"Rfcened 


VS/0//.S  M).  .        C/JSN  M). 


Readings  from  the  Bible 


Selected  for  Schools  and  to  be 
Read  in  Unison 


UNDER  SUPERVISION  OF 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union 

MRS.  ELIZABETH  BLANCHARD  COOK,  President 
MRS.  FREDERICA  HOGE  STRASBURGER,  Secretary 


EDITORIAL  COMMITTEE 

W.  J.  ONAHAN     J.  H,  BARROWS     C,  C.  BONNEY 


v^*]t-^~~    -l&R/AAfp^Nv 

f       ^  OF  THE  \ 

V  op  jf 


CHICAGO 

SCOTT,  FORESMAN  &  CO. 

MDCCCXCVI 


COPYRIGHTED  BY 

CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  EDUCATIONAL  UNION 

AND 

SCOTT,  FORESMAN  &  CO. 
1896 


INTRODUCTION. 

1.  Origin.     In  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Vice  Presi- 
dent of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union,  Mrs. 
E.  Strasburger  Miller,  dated  April  3,  1894,  Prof.  David 
Swing  proposed  a  committee,  consisting  of  members  of 
the  Jewish,  Catholic  and  Protestant  bodies,  for  compiling 
a  book  of  Bible  Selections  for  Schools.     This  committee 
was  duly  appointed  by  the  Educational  Union  and  their 
card  follows  this  introduction. 

"  The  book,"  wrote  Prof.  Swing,  "  ought  not  to  be 
large.  It  should  be  read  over  and  over  until  the  selec- 
tions should  be  memorized."  The  more  familiar  they 
become,  the  more  will  they  be  loved. 

2.  Selections.     Teachers  are  ever  ready  to  welcome 
helps  that  are  of  the  highest  character,  and  at  the  same 
time  economize  research  and  study.     Hence  Bible  selec- 
tions, examined    and   approved  by  persons  of  different 
faiths,   commend  themselves  to  instructors,  as  portions 
selected  by  one  individual  could  not  do. 

3.  Unison.    The  reading  or  recitation  of  Bible  verses 
in  unison,  by  a  number  of  pupils,  with  practice,  becomes 
both  instructive  and  inspiring.     And  children  who  are 
too  young  to  read,  will   repeat  simple  selections  after 
their  teachers,  with  delight. 

4.  Version.    The  version  recognized  when  appeals  in 
courts  are  made  to  the  Bible,  by  English  law  (which  is  the 
basis  of  United  States  law  generally)  is  the  version  from 
which  these  selections  are  taken,  because  the  public  school 
is  established  pre-eminently  for  the  state.    But  all  leading 
versions  are  regarded  as  having  some  points  of  superior- 
ity, and  as  being,  in  substance,  essentially  the  same. 

Italics  in  the  body  of  the  selections  do  not  represent 
emphasis;  they  are  used  to  indicate  words  supplied  by 


Introduction. 


translators  in  order  better  to  express  the  meaning  con- 
tained in  original  manuscripts. 

5.  Grades.     This   book  is  somewhat  graded  in    its 
arrangement.       The     earlier    selections     being    better 
adapted  for  the  lower  grades  of  the  grammar  school. 

Although  pupils  never  grow  too  old  for  these  first 
selections,  the  latter  part  of  the  book  is  better  suited  to 
more  mature  minds. 

6.  Acknowledgments.     For  the  charming  literary 
and  poetic  form  in  which  the  selections  are  printed,  we  are 
indebted  to  the  suggestion   of  the  Professor  of  English 
Literature  in  the  University  Extension  Department  of  the 
University  of  Chicago.     Other  statements  and  acknowl- 
edgments will  be  found  in  the  "Sketch."     But  the  ladies 
of  the  Educational  Union  hereby  publicly  thank  all  who 
have  so  generously  encouraged  and  assisted  them  in  this 
work.     They  especially  desire  to  make  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments to  the  members  of  the  Editorial  Committee 
who  have  so  wisely   and  continuously  used  their  varied 
and  valuable  endowments  for  the  good  of  our  Public 
Schools. 

The  Educational  System  of  the  United  States  has  a 
strong  and  broad  foundation  in  religion,  morality  and 
knowledge.  Its  early  record  is  true  to  law,  to  the  wel- 
fare of  the  state,  of  society,  of  the  individual.  We  must 
protect  and  improve  this  system  bequeathed  us  by  our 
ancestors.  If  we  limit  it  to  a  narrow  and  exclusively 
material  or  secular  system  of  instruction,  "the  result  will 
be  deterioration  of  the  National  type "  and  the  loss  of 
finer  and  firmer  qualities  which  make  citizens  well-bal- 
anced and  symmetrical  in  character.  Personal  purity 
and  unselfish  conduct  thrive  in  those  who  are  "  alive  in 
all  their  faculties." 

In  behalf  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational 
Union,  ELIZABETH  B.  COOK,  President, 

FREDERICA  H.  STRASBURGER,  Secretary. 


STATEMENT    FROM    THE    COMMITTEE    PRO- 
POSED   BY   PROFESSOR   SWING. 

At  the  request  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational 
Union  the  undersigned,  who  were  named  by  the  late 
Prof.  Swing  as  members  of  a  Committee  on  the  pro- 
posed Scripture  Reader  for  Public  Schools,  take  great 
pleasure  in  expressing  their  hearty  approval  of  the  work 
which  has  been  accomplished  in  that  behalf  through  the 
efforts  of  the  Union.  While,  when  requested,  we  have 
freely  made  suggestions  to  the  officers  of  the  Union,  and 
have  been  glad  to  afford  them  any  assistance  which 
seemed  to  be  in  our  power,  we  are  happy  to  state  that 
there  has  been  slight  occasion  for  formal  action  on  our 
part  as  an  Editorial  Committee.  We  have  all  been 
extremely  careful  not  to  put  ourselves  in  the  position  of 
assuming  to  act  as  authorized  representatives  of  the 
various  religious  bodies  to  which  we  belong. 

It  is,  however,  our  privilege  to  say  that  the  intel- 
ligence, prudence  and  wise  and  painstaking  zeal  with 
which  the  work  involved  has  been  pursued  by  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union,  under  the  faith- 
ful and  earnest  leadership  of  its  President,  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
B.  Cook,  merits  the  highest  praise.  Never  aggressive, 
never  thrusting  their  own  religious  convictions  upon 
others,  but  appealing  with  like  candor  and  sincerity  to  rep- 
resentatives of  all  the  leading  forms  of  faith  in  this  coun- 
try, this  Woman's  Union  has  made  progress,  and  promises 
to  secure  results  far  in  advance  of  anything  else  in  the 
same  direction  hitherto  achieved  or  attempted.  This 
book  is,  however,  not  merely  the  book  of  the  Educa- 
tional Union.  It  may  be  truly  said  that  the  City  of 


6 


Statement. 


Chicago  herself  (acting  by  many  representatives)  is  the 
maker  of  this  Scripture  Reader.  It  belongs,  indeed,  to 
the  whole  country,  for  eminent  representatives  of  the 
different  churches  in  many  parts  of  the  Union  have  par- 
ticipated in  the  work  of  its  compilation. 

We  therefore  respectfully  commend  it  to  the  favor- 
able consideration  of  those  for  whom  it  has  been  pre- 
pared. 

CHICAGO,  JANUARY,  1896. 

Signed, 


;RN!£ 


SKETCH  OF  THE  WORK  CONNECTED  WITH 
THE  PREPARATION  OF  READINGS  FROM 
THE  BIBLE  SELECTED  FOR  SCHOOLS. 

About  five  years  ago,  Prof.  David  Swing,  in  a  conversation 
with  officers  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union,  said 
that  any  one  who  would  prepare  a  book  of  desirable  Scripture 
Selections  for  schools,  would  win  undying  glory.  And  as  the 
beauties  of  Biblical  literature  passed  in  review  before  his  poetic 
and  philosophical  mind,  he  repeated  with  fervor,  words  from 
the  Psalms  and  other  parts  of  the  Bible  which  had  been  to  him 
teacher,  guide,  inspiration  and  message. 

Time  passed  on,  and  the  Union,  in  a  quiet  way,  continued  its 
work,  collecting  information  relative  to  the  proper  scope  of  the 
Public  Schools.  The  World's  Fair  found  the  Woman  s  Union 
represented  in  the  Educational  department  of  the  Manufac- 
tures' Building,  where  its  committee  met  daily,  throngs  of  the 
learned  and  unlearned,  the  religious  and  the  irreligious,  the 
rich  and  the  poor,  the  citizens  of  our  city  and  her  neighbors 
and  friends  residing  in  various  parts  of  the  United  States  or  in 
foreign  countries.  Nearly  sixty  thousand  of  these  people  left 
their  autographs  as  a  guarantee  of  their  appreciation  of  the 
importance  of  the  reading  of  the  Bible  in  Schools,  and  multi- 
tudes took  our  literature  with  them  for  perusal. 

Educators  went  home  to  write  of  the  importance  ot  develop- 
ing the  threefold  nature  of  the  child,  and  to  reaffirm  their 
approval  of  the  ordinance  of  1787,  that  great  charter  of  liberty 
under  which  the  schools  of  Chicago  claim  the  right  to  be  ;  and 
now  from  the  North,  South,  East  and  West  come  suggestions 
and  helps  for  the  proper  instruction  of  school  children  in  re- 
ligion, morality  and  knowledge. 

The  World's  Fair  passed,  the  work  of  the  Educational 
Union  and  its  constituency  was  epitomized  by  the  hand  of  its 
early  friend,  the  illustrious  President  of  the  World's  Congresses, 
Hon.  Charles  C.  Bonney,  as  follows: 

"To  THE  EDUCATIONAL  AUTHORITIES  IN  CHARGE  OF  THE 

PUBLIC  SCHOOLS: 

"  The  undersigned  believe  that  they  express  a  general  convic- 
tion of  the  intelligent  and  patriotic  public  when  they  say  that  there 


ii  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


is  an  urgent  need  of  better  and  more  earnest  instruction  of  the 
rising  generation  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  morals  and 
religion,  which  are  indispensable  to  the  well-being  of  society. 
We  also  believe  that  all  thoughtful  and  candid  persons  must 
admit  that  there  is  a  very  great  number  of  children  in  our 
country  who,  if  not  instructed  in  those  principles  in  the  public 
schools,  will  not,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  be  instructed  in  them  at 
all.  We  must,  therefore,  choose  between  such  instruction  in 
those  schools  or  its  absence  during  the  formative  period  of  the 
character  and  conduct  of  the  child. 

It  also  appears  to  us  that  the  experience  of  the  last  twenty- 
five  years,  and  the  present  state  of  the  country,  render  the  present 
a  very  auspicious  time  for  an  endeavor  to  carry  into  effect, 
more  fully  than  has  been  done  heretofore,  the  crowning  provision 
of  the  great  ordinance  of  1787,— "that  religion,  morality  and 
knowledge,  being  necessary  to  good  government  and  the  happi- 
ness of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall  for- 
ever be  encouraged." 

There  has  been  no  failure  to  teach  knowledge  merely.  What 
we  need  is  more  efficient  instruction  in  the  fundamental  prin- 
ciples of  character  and  conduct  which  are  embraced  in  the  gen- 
eral terms  of  religion  and  morality.  Religion,  in  the  sense  of 
doctrines  and  creeds,  belongs  to  the  churches;  but  religion  in 
the  sense  of  high  character  and  good  citizenship,  also  belongs 
to  a  proper  system  of  education. 

We  therefore  propose  that  the  question  of  proper  instruction 
in  such  fundamentals  of  religion  and  morality  be  entirely  sep- 
arated from  all  other  questions  relating  to  the  system  of  public 
schools;  and  that  Catholics  and  Protestants,  Jews  and  Gentiles, 
— in  a  word,  all  good  citizens,  unite  in  recommending  that  the 
reading  book,  consisting  of  selections  from  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures in  use  in  the  schools  of  Toronto,  Canada,  with  the  ap- 
proval of  both  the  Catholic  and  Protestant  churches,  or  sim- 
ilar selections,  be  put  in  use  in  the  public  schools  of  this  coun- 
try without  delay. 

As  the  whole  religious  world  united,  without  objection,  in 
the  universal  prayer  to  '  Our  Father  who  art  in  Heaven,'  dur- 
ing the  Worlu's  Keligious  Congresses  of  1893,  we  believe  that 
all  right-minded  classes  of  the  American  people  would  now 
agree  on  the  daily  reading  in  the  public  schools  of  suitable 
selections  from  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  the  recitation  of  that 
prayer,  and  the  two  great  commandments  on  which  hang  all 
the  law  and  the  prophets,  thereby  fixing  in  the  minds  of  the 
children  the  vital,  spiritual  principles  on  which  good  citizenship 
and  the  future  welfare  of  our  country  so  largely  depend." 


Sketch  of  the  IVork.  iii 


This  memorial  has  been  widely  approved  as  expressive  of 
popular  sentiment. 

The  names  of  a  few  residents  of  Chicago  who  personally 
endorse  this  petition  are  as  follows  : 

Charles  C.  Bonney,  President  of  the  World's  Congresses  of 
the  Columbian  Exposition. 

Dr.  Wm.  R.  Harper,  President  of  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago. 

Rev.  Dr.  Simeon  Gilbert,  Assistant  Editor,  Times-Herald. 

John  B.  Strasburger,  Attorney,  Ex-Superintendent  of 
Schools  and  Principal  of  High  School,  South  Chicago. 

Wm.  Carey,  Member,  Constitutional  Convention  of  111.  For- 
merly U.  S.  District  Attorney  in  Utah. 

Z.  S.  Holbrook,  Proprietor  Bibliotheca  Sacra. 

Rev.  Theodore  N.  Morrison,  Rector  of  the  Church  of  the 
Epiphany. 

Wm.  A.  Amberg,  Ex-President  Columbus  Club. 

Frances  Healy,  Ex-Instructor  in  Chicago  Public  Schools. 

Susan  Gale  Cooke,  Late  Secretary,  Woman's  Department 
Columbian  Exposition. 

Eliza  Allen  Starr,  Artist  and  Philanthropist. 

Jane  Addams,  Superintendent,  Hull  House. 

Mrs.  Henry  Solomon. 

Mrs.  Henry  L.  Frank. 

Mrs.  Mary  B.  Little. 

Rev.  Dr.  Edward  P.  Goodwin,  Pastor,  First  Congrega- 
tional Church. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  Henry  Barrows,  Pastor,  First  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Prof.  Samuel  Ives  Curtiss,  Chicago  Theological  Seminary. 

Prof.  Graham  Taylor,  Chicago  Theological  Seminary. 

Dr.  John  M.  Coulter,  President,  Lake  Forest  University. 

Hon.  W.  J.  Onahan,  Ex-Comptroller,  City  of  Chicago. 

Gen.  Geo.  W.  Smith,  Ex-President,  Union  League  Club. 

Dr.  P.  S.  Henson,  Pastor,  First  Baptist  Church,  Chicago. 

Dr.  Henry  Wade  Rogers,  President,  Northwestern  Uni- 
versity. 

M.  M.  Mangasarian,  President,  Society  for  Ethical  Culture. 

Rev.  Dr.  Carlos  Martyn,  Late  Pastor,  Sixth  Presbyterian 
Church,  Chicago. 

Rt.  Rev.  Chas.  Edward  Cheney,  Bishop,  Grace  Episcopal 
Church. 

Rev.  Dr.  H.  W.  Thomas,  Pastor,  People's  Church. 

Rev.  Dr.  H.  W.  Bolton,  Pastor,  South  Park  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 


iv  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


E.  Mandel. 

C.  M.  Henderson. 

John.  V.  Farwell,  Jr. 

Ezra  A.  Cook. 

C.  H.  Case. 

W.  P.  Rend. 

Marshall  Field. 

Rev.  Dr.  J.  L.  Withrow,  Pastor,  Third  Presbyterian  Church. 

Cordial  letters  approving  the  sentiments  of  the  Memorial 
have  been  receivedfrom  Bishop  Sam'l  Fallows,  quoted  on  p.iSg, 
Dr.  Paul  Carus,  Miss  Frances  E.  Willard,  and  many  others. 

We  number  among  the  members  of  the  Educational  Union 
the  names  of  MesdamesC  H.  Case,  J.  B.  Hobbs,  Emily  D.  Smith, 
Matilda  B.  Carse,  and  others  of  Chicago's  foremost  women. 

Mrs.  A.  V.  H.  Wakeman  writes:  "In  studying  other  religions 
I  have  found  that  the  core  and  essence  of  each  and  every  one 
of  them  is  contained  in  our  Scriptures." 

In  a  clear,  brief  way,  the  Times-Herald  of  November  17, 
1895,  sketched  the  history  of  this  book.  We  quote  a  few  words: 
"Eminent  representatives  of  nearly  all  religious  beliefs  have 
been  giving  their  best  thought  to  the  compilation  of  a  little  vol- 
ume of  Scripture  selections  which  would  be  appropriate  for  use 
in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago.  Replying  to  the  appeal  of 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union,  they  have  selected 
passages  from  the  Bible  for  such  a  book  and,  in  addition, 
have  offered  suggestions  of  great  value  bearing  on  its  prep- 
aration." 

Adapted  as  the  Bible  is,  to  persons  of  all  ages  and  climates 
and  languages,  in  every  possible  condition  in  which  they  could 
be  placed,  prosperity,  aaversity,  health,  sickness  and  tempta- 
tion, childhood,  youth,  mature  life  and  old  age,  for  the  family, 
the  church,  society  and  civil  government;  it  is  evident  that 
some  passages  teach  duties  to  country  more  directly  than  others 
and  hence  are  more  appropriate  for  children  in  schools  main- 
tained by  state  funds,  primarily  for  its  benefit. 

In  compliance  with  the  wise  suggestion  of  a  member  of  the 
Chicago  Board  of  Education,  adopted  by  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Educational  Union,  as  stated  by  the  Times-Herald  quoted 
above,  the  selections  used  in  this  book  were  furnished  by 
clergymen  of  different  denominations.  They  were  carefully 
arranged  in  form  of  a  trial  book  of  selections,  which,  after  being 
approved  by  the  Educational  Union,  was  submitted  to  clergy- 
men, educators,  ethical  teachers  and  leaders  of  the  unchurched 
masses  for  revision,  and  their  suggestions  have  been  considered 
by  the  committee  having  this  work  in  charge.  The  public  will  be 


Sketch  of  the  IVork. 


glad  to  read  quotations  from  a  few  of  the  many  persons  and 
publications  which  have  come  to  our  notice. 

First.    FROM  NON-CHRISTIAN  PATRIOTS  AND  THINKERS  : 

Dr.  Paul  Carus,  with  well  trained  brain  and  philanthropic 
heart,  gives  to  the  unchurched  masses  wise  counsel  in  regard 
to  the  reading  of  Bible  selections  in  schools.  In  the  Monist, 
July,  1894,  he  writes  (editorially): 

"  In  the  interest  of  a  strict  impartiality  toward  all  religions, 
ordinances  are  in  force  in  some  of  the  United  States  which  for- 
bid the  reading  of  the  Bible  in  Public  Schools.  Can  the  inter- 
diction of  the  most  important  collection  of  sacred  literature 
that  exists  be  called  liberty  ?  True,  the  idea  is  not  to  let  the 
children  be  impressed  with  any  one  of  the  various  sectarian 
interpretations  of  the  Scriptures;  but  shall  our  young  men  and 
women  for  that  reason  remain  entirely  ignorant  of  the  contents 
of  the  Bible  ?  The  consequence  is  that  in  this  country,  where 
the  mass  of  people  are  unchurched  more  than  fifty  per  cent, 
have  never  read  the  Bible,  and  truly  we  might  rather  omit 
Homer  or  banish  Shakespeare,  than  the  History  of  Israel,  the 
Psalms  and  the  Gospels.  I  know  the  difficulty  lies  in  the  sec- 
tarian spirit  in  which  the  various  sects  want  the  Bible  read,  and 
its  miracles  literally  believed,  but  why  not  let  the  churches 
give  their  own  interpretations  in  their  Sunday  schools,  while  the 
public  educational  institutions  simply  give  an  exposition  of 
facts?" 

Dr.  M.  M.  Mangasarian,  the  beloved  president  of  the  Chi- 
cago Society  of  Ethical  Culture,  writes :  "  I  believe  in  resisting 
with  enthusiasm  the  secularization  of  the  state.  I  believe  in 
making  state  and  schools  more  religious,  more  ethical  and 
more  sacred  rather  than  more  irreligious  and  secular  :  for  the 
education  that  leaves  the  soul  asleep  is  a  degradation." 

Prof.  Felix  Adler,  in  his  book,  "  Moral  Instruction  of  Chil- 
dren," p.  109,  states  that  "The  narrative  of  the  Bible  is  fairly 
saturated  with  the  moral  spirit.  The  moral  issues  are  every- 
where in  the  forefront.  Duty,  guilt  and  its  punishment,  the 
conflict  of  conscience  with  inclination,  are  the  leading  themes. 
The  Hebrew  people  seem  to  have  been  endowed  with  what 
may  be  called  a  'Moral  Genius,'  and  especially  did  they 
emphasize  the  filial  and  fraternal  duties  to  an  extent  hardly 
equaled  elsewhere.  Now  it  is  precisely  these  duties  that  must 
be  impressed  on  young  children,  and  hence  the  biblical  stories 
present  us  with  the  very  material  we  require.  They  cannot,  in 
this  respect,  be  replaced. 


vi  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


There  is  no  other  literature  in  the  world  that  offers  what  is 
equal  to  them  in  value  for  the  particular  object  we  have  now  in 
view." 

The  views  of  Thos.  H.  Huxley,  concerning  the  reading  of 
the  Bible  in  the  public  schools,  as  found  in  his  essay  entitled 
"  School  Boards,  What  They  Can  Do,  and  What  They  May 
Do."  (1870)  are  stated  as  follows: 

"  The  boys  and  girls  for  whose  education  the  school  boards 
have  to  provide,  have  not  merely  to  discharge  domestic  duties, 
but  each  of  them  is  a  member  of  a  social  and  political  organ- 
ization, of  great  complexity  and  has,  in  future  life  to  fit  himself 
into  that  organization,  or  be  crushed  by  it.  To  this  end  it  is 
surely  needful,  not  only  that  they  should  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  elementary  laws  of  conduct,  but  that  their  affections 
should  be  trained,  so  as  to  love  with  all  their  hearts  that  con- 
duct which  tends  to  the  attainment  of  the  highest  good  for 
themselves  and  their  fellow  men,  and  to  hate  with  all  their 
hearts  that  opposite  course  of  action  which  is  fraught  with  evil. 
I  have  always  been  strongly  in  favor  of  secular  education,  in 
the  sense  of  education  without  theology ;  but  I  must  confess  I 
have  been  no  less  seriously  perplexed  to  know  by  what  prac- 
tical measures  the  religious  feeling,  which  is  the  essential  basis 
of  conduct,  was  to  be  kept  up,  in  the  present  utterly  chaotic 
state  of  opinion  on  these  matters,  without  the  use  of  the  Bible. 
The  Pagan  moralists  lack  life  and  color,  and  even  the  noble 
Stoic,  Marcus  Antonius,  is  too  high  and  refined  for  the  ordinary 
child.  Take  the  Bible  as  a  whole,  make  the  severest  deduc- 
tions which  fair  criticism  can  dictate  for  shortcomings  and 
positive  errors;  eliminate,  as  a  sensible  lay  teacher  would  do, 
if  left  to  himself,  all  that  it  is  not  desirable  for  children  to 
occupy  themselves  with;  and  there  still  remains  in  this  old 
literature  a  vast  residuum  of  moral  beauty  and  grandeur.  And 
then  consider  the  great  historical  fact  that,  for  three  centuries 
this  book  has  been  woven  into  the  life  of  all  that  is  best  and 
noblest  in  English  history;  that  it  has  become  the  natural  Epic 
of  Britain,  and  is  as  familiar  to  the  noble  and  simple,  from 
John-o'-Groat's  House,  to  Land's  End,  as  Dante  and  Tasso  once 
were  to  the  Italians  ;  that  it  is  written  in  the  noblest  and  purest 
English,  and  abounds  in  exquisite  beauties  of  mere  literary 
form;  and,  finally,  that  it  forbids  the  veriest  hind,  who  never 
left  his  village,  to  be  ignorant  of  the  existence  of  other  coun- 
tries and  other  civilizations,  and  of  a  ^reat  past,  stretching  back 
to  the  furthest  limits  of  the  oldest  nations  of  the  world.  By  the 
study  of  what  other  book  could  children  be  so  much  humanized 
and  made  to  feel  that  each  figure  in  that  vast  historical  proces- 


Sketch  of  the  Work.  vii 


sion  fills,  like  themselves,  but  a  momentary  space  in  the  inter- 
val between  two  eternities;  and  earns  the  blessings  or  the  curses 
of  all  time,  according  to  its  effort  to  do  good  and  hate  evil, 
even  as  they  also  are  earning  their  payment  for  their  work? 

"  On  the  whole,  then,  I  am  in  favor  of  reading  the  Bible, 
with  such  grammatical,  geographical  and  historical  explana- 
tions by  a  lay  teacher  as  may  be  needful,  with  rigid  exclusion 
of  any  further  theological  teaching  than  that  contained  in  the 
Bible  itself.  And  in  stating  what  this  is,  the  teacher  would  do 
well  not  to  go  beyond  the  precise  words  of  the  Bible.  •  •  * 
Some  of  the  pleasantest  recollections  of  my  childhood  are 
connected  with  the  voluntary  study  of  an  ancient  Bible  which 
belonged  to  my  grandmother.  There  were  splendid  pictures 
in  it,  to  be  sure;  but  I  recollect  little  or  nothing  about  them, 
save  a  portrait  of  a  high  priest  in  his  vestments.  What  come 
vividly  back  on  my  mind  are  remembrances  of  my  delight  in 
the  histories  of  Joseph  and  David,  and  my  keen  appreciation  of 
the  chivalrous  kindness  of  Abraham  in  dealing  with  Lot.  Like 
a  sudden  flash  there  returns  back  upon  me  my  utter  scorn  of 
the  pettifogging  meanness  of  Jacob,  and  my  sympathetic  grief 
over  the  heart-broken  lamentation  of  the  cheated  Esau.  '  Hast 
thou  not  a  blessing  forme  also,  O  my  father?'  And  I  see  as  in 
a  cloud,  pictures  of  the  grand  phantasmagoria  of  the  Book  of 
Revelation." 

Is  there  any  perfectly  honest  and  self-sacrificingly  noble, 
nullifidian  patriot  who  cannot  welcome  the  Bible  into  the  pub- 
lic schools  on  grounds  expressed  by  one  of  these  leaders  of 
thought? 

Second.    FROM  EDUCATORS. 

What  opinion  can  be  more  valuable  than  that  of  an  honest 
instructor  who  has  for  many  years  and  through  varied  experi- 
ences maintained  his  position  and  proved  his  right  to  know 
what  young  people  need. 

Sabra  L.  Sargent,  Ferry  Hall,  writes :  ''I  have  had  sev- 
eral years'  experience  as  principal  of  public  schools  from  which 
the  Bible  was  excluded.  I  have  also  held  the  same  position  in 
schools  where  its  use  was  allowed.  I  believe  that  the  teacher 
who  looks  upon  development  of  character  as  the  end  of  her  work 
feels  deprived  of  her  strongest  force  when  the  Bible  is  taken 
from  her.  It  is  a  sin  against  children  to  deprive  them  of  the 
greatest  moral  power  of  the  world  at  that  period  of  their  lives 
when  they  need  it  most." 

Mrs.  L.  L.  Flower,  recent  member  Chicago  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, Trustee  of  Illinois  State  University,  writes:  "I  hope  the 


viii          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


Readings  from  the  Bible  for  schools  will  be  adopted,  not  as  a 
general  reading  book,  but  as  a  short  exercise  for  five  minutes 
each  day,  impressing  the  texts  and  principles  on  the  pupils. 
I  am  more  and  more  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  some  more 
moral  and  religious  training  for  children. 

"By  religious  I  do  not  mean  sectarian  ;  but  the  general  reli- 
gious truths  we  all  accept.  It  is  well  enough  to  say  'parents 
should  teach  religion.'  So  they  should.  But  they  don't,  and 
too  many  are  ignorant  and  untrained  themselves.  The  school 
should  supply,  as  far  as  possible,  for  the  good  of  the  common- 
wealth, the  ethical  and  moral  training:  the  parents  can't  or 
won't,  so  I  trust  your  book  will  be  a  success." 

Rt.  Rev.  John  J.  Keane,  Rector  of  the  Catholic  University, 
Washington,  D.  C..  writes  in  a  personal  letter  to  the  President 
of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Union:  "The  Catholic 
Church  believes,  as  every  intelligent  Christian  must,  that  reli- 
gion must  form  an  integral  part  in  education  and  that  the 
school  is  one  of  the  principal  fields  of  education  and  that  there- 
fore, religion  ought  to  tell  in  the  school." 

The  Presidents  of  the  great  Chicago  Universities  write  of  the 
book  of  selections  as  follows:  President  Wm.  R.  Harper  of  the 
University  of  Chicago:  '•  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  recommend 
most  heartily  the  publication  of  the  book  of  Scripture  Selec- 
tions for  use  in  Public  Schools.  I  AM  CONVINCED  THAT  EVERY 

CAUSE  HAS  SOMETHING  TO   GAIN  FROM   ITS   PUBLICATION,  AND 

NO  CAUSE  ANYTHING  TO  LOSE."  (Capitals  are  the  Editor's.) 

President  Henry  Wade  Rogers  or  the  Northwestern  Univer- 
sity, at  The  Sunset  Club,  Chicago,  December  20,  '94,  said: 
"Speaking  for  myself,  I  cannot  but  deplore  the  fact  that  the 
book  which  has  shaped  the  laws,  the  civilization,  the  literature, 
the  music  and  the  art  of  Europe  and  America,  cannot  be  read 
in  the  public  schools  of  Chicago.  •  •  •  The  schools  of  the 
state  can  and  should  show  that  respect  for  religion  which  is 
implied  in  reading  from  the  word  of  God."  •  •  In  a  per- 

sonal letter  to  the  President  of  the  Educational  Union  he 
writes:  "  I  most  unreservedly  endorse  this  work  •  •  • 
believing  that  the  principles  of  morality  should  be  thus  im- 
pressed on  the  minds  of  our  youth  to  their  own  good  and  the 
good  of  the  commonwealth.  •  •  •  *  I  can  see  no  possible 
harm  from  the  use  of  such  a  book,  and  I  believe  that  all  good 
people  should  favor  its  introduction  into  our  schools." 

President  John  M.  Coulter,  Lake  Forest  University,  writes : 
"Your  work  has  been  admirably  done,  and  any  objection  to  the 
use  of  such  a  book  in  the  schools  can  only  come  from  a  vision 
which  is  narrower  than  any  denominational  creed.  It  is  of 


Sketch  of  the  Work.  ix 


supreme  importance  that  the  noblest  sentiments  be  constantly 
brought  to  the  attention  of  children,  and  to  banish  a  book  which 
contains  by  far  the  greatest  collection  of  them,  is  educational 
stultification." 

Prof.  Richard  G.  Moulton,  professor  of  English  Literature 
in  the  University  Extension  Department  of  the  University  of 
Chicago  has  rendered  valuable  service  in  suggesting  the  style 
which  the  selections  should  take  for  the  largest  results  in  the 
schools.  He  writes:  "With  your  aim  I  heartily  sympathize." 

Third.    RELIGIOUS  PEOPLE. 

A.  The  Hebrews. 

Rabbi  K.  Kohler  writes:  "  I  cannot  but  express  my  sympa- 
thy with  the  movement.  It  offers  to  teachers  a  safe  guide  for 
the  opening  exercises.  It  is  broad,  universal  and  elevating, 
and  will  be  much  better  than  any  indiscriminate  selection  from 
the  Bible  by  teachers." 

Rabbi  H.  Percira  Mendez  and  Rabbi  M.  Mielziner  by  con- 
tributing to  a  similar  work  have  indicated  their  approval  of  the 
general  plan  of  readings  from  the  Bible  for  schools. 

Rabbi  Emil  G.  Hirsch  expresses  his  appreciation  of  the 
Bible  in  the  following  words  :  "I  do  not  yield  to  its  most  de- 
voted lover  in  reverance  for  the  good  book." 

Rabbi  A.  Norden,  Congregation  of  the  North  Side,  writes: 
"  Moral  and  ethical  training  should  alway  accompany  secular 
education.  I  therefore  favor  the  introduction  of  such  a  book 
in  our  public  schools,  but  the  instruction  must  never  be  of  a 
denominational  character." 

Noble  Jewish  women  also  have  given  their  approval  of  this 
movement,  and  who  in  business  circles,  could  be  more  repre- 
sentative of  the  Hebrew  people  than  Emanuel  Mandel  who 
expressed  himself  as  happy  to  serve  this  cause  by  signing  the 
memorial  adding"  Such  reading  will  not  hurt  anyone." 

B.  Evangelical  or  Protestant  Christianity  hails  this  move- 
ment and  rejoices  in  the  general  approval  of  the  Book  of  Scrip- 
ture selections. 

Dr.  Edward  P.  Goodwin  writes :  "  I  have  examined  with 
much  interest  the  selections  from  the  Bible  prepared  for  use  in 
our  public  schools.  I  think  them  most  excellent.  Indeed  I 
do  not  see  how  anyone  who  feels  interested  in  having  our  youth 
established  in  habits  of  truth,  purity,  uprightness,  unselfishness 
and  goodness,  can  possibly  fail  to  see  the  value  of  such  high 
standards  as  these  selections  offer,  continually  set  before  the 
mind  and  heart  of  those  who  are  to  shape  and  determine  the 


Readings  from  the  Bible. 


future  of  our  country.  What  our  city  and  our  land  preemi- 
nently needs  is  men  and  women  of  the  type  that  such  standards 
go  to  make.  And  it  ought  not  to  be  an  objection  to  them  but 
on  the  contrary,  a  weighty  reason  for  their  approval  that  they 
come  to  us  with  an  authority  that  the  originators  of  our  free 
institutions,  as  well  as  of  oitr  system  of  public  education,  held  to 
be  divine.  '  If  we  and  our  children  will  obey  its 

behests  it  will  anchor  us  in  those  divine  conditions  of  truth  and 
righteousness  and  virtue  which  are  the  supreme  hope  of  a  free 
people." 

Dr.  Thos.  C.  Hall  writes  the  Educational  Union  as  follows  : 
"It  has  been  a  great  pleasure  for  me  to  look  through  the 
selections  made  from  the  Bible  and  intendea  for  the  use  of 
public  schools,  should  it  be  possible  to  secure  such  Bible  read- 
ings in  them.  It  is  difficult  to  see  how  anyone  can  object  to  the 
reading  of  such  selections  as  are  here  gathered  together.  It  is 
a  melancholy  reflection  to  think  how  much  of  the  noblest  liter- 
ature the  world  has  ever  known  should  be  a  region  left  in  mists 
and  darkness  for  hundreds  of  thousands  because  the  Bible  has 
not  been  made  familiar  to  them.  And  English  literature  rests 
so  largely  upon  it  that  without  a  competent  knowledge  of  the 
English  Bible,  Milton,  Tennyson  and  Goldsmith  are  locks 
without  a  key.  Simply  as  a  key  to  English  literature,  the  Bible 
ought  to  be  studied  in  our  public  schools.  No  student  of  the 
marvellous  beauties  of  Arabic  literature  would  dare  undertake 
the  study  of  that  literature  without  some  competent  knowledge 
of  the  Koran,  and  surely  if  we  set  our  students  of  Arabic  liter- 
ature to  the  study  of  the  Koran  there  is  much  more  reason  that 
students  of  English  literature  should  know  something  of  the 
English  Bible  which  has  given  to  our  modern  language  some 
of  its  highest  inspirations." 

Rev.  W.  T.  Meloy  states  that :  "  High  education  in  matters 
moral  may  be  left  to  the  church,  but  the  state  is  bound  to  give 
all  its  citizens  a  chance  to  learn  the  rudiments  of  morality. 
•  •  *  •  When  we  admit  that  the  state  should  provide  for 
the  morals  of  its  citizens,  and  yet  demand  that  the  Bible — the 
text  book  on  morality— be  removed  from  the  public  schools  we 
are  illogical." 

Bishop  Samuel  Fallows  writes,  voicing  this  general  senti- 
ment :  "  I  have  looked  over  with  very  great  interest  the  selec- 
tions which  have  been  made  from  the  Bible  for  use  in  public 
schools.  I  can  most  heartily  commend  them  as  being  judiciously 
chosen,  and  in  every  way  adapted  to  carry  out  the  laudable 
design  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Educational  Association.  I 
look  upon  the  effort  made  to  put  these  selections  in  the  schools 


Sketch  of  the  Work.  xi 


as  one  of  the  most  important  movements  of  the  day,  and  feel 
more  than  delighted  that  such  unanimity  of  opinion  exists 
regarding  its  value  and  benefit." 

Dr.  Josiah  Strong,  of  New  York,  President  Evangelical 
Alliance,  Drs.  F.  W.  Gunsaulus,  T.  C.  Hall,  Theo.  N.  Morrison, 
H.  W.  Thomas,  Theo.  F.  Wright,  J.  N.  Barrows,  President  C. 
A.  Blanchard  and  Prof.  Herrick  Johnson,  have  shown  their 
appreciation  of  the  work  by  making  selections  for  it,  while 
many  others,  such  as  Drs.  J.  L.  Withrow  and  N.  D.  Hillis,  have 
urged  its  claims  from  the  pulpit. 

C.     The  Catholic  Church. 

While  our  beloved  Prof.  David  Swing  named  a  committee, 
composed  of  Catholic,  Jew,  Protestant,  the  illustrious  advocate 
of  good-will  to  man  and  a  representative  of  the  Educational 
Union,  to  attend  to  the  numerous  and  important  minor  questions 
connected  with  this  book,  the  scholarly  Archbishop,  P.  A. 
Feehan,  named  its  real  compiler  when  he  said  that  "  Chicago 
had  sufficient  talent  to  prepare  its  own  book  of  selections." 

CHICAGO,  in  the  person  of  many  of  its  foremost  clergymen, 
assisted  by  editors  and  other  professional  men,  also  by  its  noble 
and  intellectually  trained  women,  its  Mayors,  members  of  the 
Board  of  Education  and  other  officers,  its  business  men  and  its 
metropolitan  press,  is  the  real  editor  and  director  of  this 
enterprise. 

The  Catholic  Church  may  well  be  pleased  with  the  thought 
of  their  Archbishop,  which  resulted  in  sending  the  Educational 
Union  forth  to  secure  the  results  of  the  experience  and  wisdom 
of  Chicago  for  the  public  school  children.  Following  his  ex- 
ample, Drs.  Riordan,  McGuire  and  other  Chicago  clergymen 
contributed  helpful  words.  Outside  of  our  city,  the  interest 
and  courtesy  of  Monsignor  Satolli  has  been  a  real  source  of 
refreshment.  He  wrote,  after  examining  the  original  volume, 
to  the  president  of  the  Educational  Union  as  follows :  "It  gives 
me  sincere  pleasure  to  see  that  day  by  day  the  persuasion  is 
spreading,  that  the  education  of  the  young  without  some 
definite  element  of  morality  and  religion  must  result  in  failure 
so  far  as  the  real  usefulness  of  education  is  concerned." 

Cardinal  Gibbons  wrote  from  his  Baltimore  residence, 
among  other  important  statements,  the  following  :  "  The  men 
and  women  of  our  day  who  are  educated  in  our  public  schools 
will,  I  am  sure,  be  much  better  themselves  and  will  also  be 
able  to  transmit  to  their  children  an  inheritance  of  true  virtue 
and  deep  morality  if  at  school  they  are  brought  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  Biblical  facts  and  teachings." 


xii  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

After  the  examination  of  this  book  Archbishop  Ireland,  of 
St.  Paul,  said :  "  I  sympathize  with  this  movement  in  every 
respect." 

Want  of  space  prevents  our  quoting  from  others  whose 
names  occupy  places  of  honor  in  the  church,  who  rejoice  to 
endorse  this  movement. 

Fourth.    BUSINESS  MEN. 

Those  giants  in  mercantile  and  industrial  pursuits,  whose 
heads  and  hands  grapple  the  practical  questions  of  profit  and 
loss  with  magical  success,  also  see  the  key  to  larger  beneficial 
results  in  our  schools  by  the  cordial  use  of  this  volume  of 
readings  from  the  Bible.  Among  these  grand  men  one  may 
recognize  the  names  of  Marshall  Field,  J.  V.  Farwell,  Jr.,  C.  H. 
Case,  William  A.  Amberg,  W.  P.  Rend,  C.  M.  Henderson,  Z.  S. 
Holbrook,  and  others,  no  less  distinguished. 

Fifth.    THE  DAILY  PAPERS. 

Of  the  extremely  valuable  assistance  of  our  Metropolitan 
Press,  what  can  be  said?  The  papers  speak  for  themselves. 
In  addition  to  their  many  recent  utterances,  in  behalf  of  this 
movement,  notice  the  following  quotations  from  their  dignified 
editorial  columns  concerning  the  memorial  which  is  found  on 
pages  i  and  2. 

"  There  is  nothing  in  that  prayer  (the  Lord's  Prayer)  that 
cannot  be  made  the  aspiration  of  every  soul  that  believes  in 
God — and  all  children  believe  in  God  ;  they  cannot  but  believe 
in  him.  Atheism  is  a  warping  of  the  soul  that  is  not  a  disease 
of  childhood.  And  there  is  no  aspiration  of  that  prayer  that 
does  not  tend  to  the  betterment  of  mind  and  body." — 7 he  Inter 
Ocean. 

"The  petition  declares,  what  few  will  now  deny,  that  'reli- 
gion in  the  sense  of  doctrines  and  creeds  belongs  to  the  church; 
but  religion  in  the  sense  of  high  character  and  good  citizenship 
also  belongs  to  a  proper  system  of  education.1  The  position  is 
so  well  taken  that  it  disarms  all  except  the  most  captious  criti- 
cism. *  *  '  •  There  seems  to  be  no  good  or  valid  reason 
why  the  schools  may  not  teach  morals  and  religion  without 
trenching  upon  the  domain  of  the  churches  or  of  sectarianism." 
—  The  Record. 

•'Such  a  memorial  should  carry  great  weight  with  it  when 
presented  to  the  Board  of  Education  for  adoption,  as  it  will  be. 
unquestionably  in  pursuance  of  the  laudable  purpose  to  free 
the  schools  from  dogma  and  to  avoid  trenching  upon  creeds 
and  offending  religious  denominations  the  school  authorities 


Sketch  of  the  IVork.  xiii 


have  swung  clear  to  the  other  extreme  and  have  stripped  the 
process  of  education  of  everything  that  tends  to  inculcate  hon- 
esty, honor,  morality,  and  the  qualities  of  good  citizenship, 
which  certainly  are  essentials  of  the  highest  purposes  of  educa- 
tion. The  Board  of  Education  should  give  this  memorial  im- 
mediate and  favorable  consideration  when  it  is  presented, 
'thereby  fixing  in  the  minds  of  the  children  the  vital,  spiritual 
principles  on  which  good  citizenship  and  the  future  welfare  of 
our  country  so  largely  depend.'  There  is  no  higher  responsi- 
bility resting  upon  Boards  of  Education  and  teachers  than 
that  of  making  good  citizens  out  of  the  rising  generation.  So 
far  as  lies  in  their  power,  a  praiseworthy  work  is  being  done  in 
the  schools,  looking  to  a  higher  standard  of  patriotic  citizenship. 
Now  let  us  have  something  done  for  morality  and  high  personal 
character.  This  once  accomplished,  patriotism  will  follow  of 
necessity." —  The  Tribune. 

The  Tribune  has  recently  (February  16,  1896)  sent  out,  edi- 
torially, ardent  words  in  commendation  of  this  book.  It  states: 
"Anything  in  the  domain  of  religion  which  originated  with  Prof. 
Swing,  and  has  received  the  approval  of  men  so  widely  differ- 
ing in  their  creeds  as  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barrows,  Rabbi  Felsenthal, 
Cardinal  Gibbons, and  Mr.  Mangasarian,  must  attract  favorable 
attention,  not  only  in  Chicago  but  throughout  the  Christian 
world." 

"The  book  is  precisely  what  might  have  been  expected  from 
a  corps  of  editors  of  such  learning,  wisdom  and  experience. 
They  have  without  doubt  produced  a  collection  of  Bible  Read- 
ings rich  in  morality  and  virtue  and  in  the  elements  of  all  re- 
ligion. *  *  •  •  It  breathes  everywhere  the  love  of  God  and 
the  love  of  man.  *  •  •  •  Its  literary  merit  also  is  so  con- 
spicuous it  cannot  fail  to  excite  universal  admiration." — The 
Tribune. 

"While  there  will  doubtless  be  opposition  to  the  introduction 
of  the  text-book  of  biblical  excerpts  into  the  public  schools, 
common  candor  impels  the  statement  that  it  is  difficult  to  dis- 
cern upon  what  argument  such  antagonism  could  be  based. 
Surely  a  compilation  of  scriptural  verses  that  embody  the 
highest  moral  precepts,  free  from  any  suggestion  of  dogma  or 
creed,  collected  by  such  men  as  Dr.  J.  H.  Barrows,  W.  J. 
Onahan  and  C.  C.  Bonney,  and  published  in  a  neat  little  text- 
book for  short  daily  readings  in  the  public  schools,  either  indi- 
vidually or  in  unison,  could  not  be  objectionable  to  Protestants, 
Catholics,  Jews,  Buddhists  or  Agnostics." — Times- Herald,  Feb. 
16,  1896. 

"We  cannot  make  men  good  by  state  laws  or  city  ordinances. 


xiv          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


All  intelligent  people  recognize  the  need  of  moral  training  to 
fix  the  idea  of  right  and  wrong  in  the  youthful  mind." 

"The  Bible  furnishes  the  best  ground-work  for  a  perfect 
scheme  of  ethics.  Its  teachings  are  the  basis  of  law  and  order. 
The  laws  that  have  been  passed  for  the  government  of  men 
and  for  the  protection  of  individual  rights  are  imperfect  and 
inhuman  unless  they  conform  to  the  general  spirit  of  the  teach- 
ings of  Christ. " 

"There  is  no  tenable  objection  to  the  biblical  text-book  on 
morals.  Any  teacher  who  would  misuse  its  precepts  or  take 
advantage  of  the  book  to  instill  any  denominational  dogmas 
into  the  minds  of  the  pupils  is  not  worthy  to  teach  in  the  public 
schools." — Times-Herald,  February  16,  1896. 

What  more  need  be  said?  Yet  testimonies  come  flooding  in 
upon  us  from  many  parts  of  the  United  States  and  from  beyond 
the  sea;  from  the  records  of  the  past  and  from  the  electric  flashes 
of  the  present. 

Pope  Pius  the  VI  in  1778  wrote  commending  the  Arch- 
bishop of  Florence  who  had  just  issued  a  new  translation  of  the 
Scriptures:  "  You  judge  exceedingly  well,  that  the  faithful 
should  be  excited  to  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  for 
these  are  the  most  abundant  sources  which  ought  to  be  open  to 
every  one,  to  draw  from  them  purity  of  morals  and  of  doctrine, 
to  eradicate  errors  which  are  so  widely  disseminated  in  these 
corrupt  times." 

Dr.  E.  D.  Morris  writes:  "The  public  school,  if  it  is  to 
prove  a  blessing,  must  instruct  its  pupils  in  sound  morals  and 
in  religious  truth  as  well  as  give  shape  and  vigor  to  their  intel- 
lectual life.  *  *  •  No  teacher,  no  human  system  or  culture 
can  for  a  moment  compare  with  the  Bible  itself,  without  note 
or  comment,  as  a  source  and  fount  of  religious  knowledge  and 
of  moral  quickening.  •  •  •  •  On  a  fair  trial  of  public 
opinion  only  a  very  small  minority  of  the  patrons  of  our  school 
system  would  be  found  to  be  seriously  or  conscientiously  averse 
to  the  right  reading  of  this  book  in  our  schools.  •  •  •  • 
The  peace  and  comfort  of  our  homes,  the  integrity  and  good 
order  of  society,  the  maintenance  of  civil  government,  even  the 
preservation  of  our  type  of  civilization,  depend  very  largely 
on  the  training  of  the  young  at  school  as  well  as  at  home, 
in  that  one  volume  from  which  the  best  elements  in  our  modern 
life  have  so  obviously  flowed." 

"  Our  Republic  in  its  constitution  and  laws  is  of  heavenly 
origin.  It  was  not  borrowed  from  Greece  or  Rome.  Where 
we  borrowed  a  ray  from  Greece  or  Rome,  stars  and  suns  were 
borrowed  from  another  source,  the  Bible."— Dr.  Lyman  Beecher. 


Sketch  of  the  Work.  xv 


"  My  hope  for  the  perpetuity  of  our  institutions  has  rested 
upon  Bible  morality.  •  •  •  It  is  an  element  on  which  free 
government  may  be  maintained  through  all  time." — Judge 
McLean. 

"  The  religion  of  the  Bible  is  not  a  theory  or  system  of 
thought.  It  is  a  view  of  life." — Bishop  Spaulding. 

"All  great  ages  have  been  ages  of  belief." — Emerson. 

"What  can  be  done  with  a  people  who  are  their  own  mas- 
ters, if  they  are  not  submissive  to  Deity?" 

"  Despotism  may  govern  without  faith,  but  liberty  cannot." — 
De  Tocqueville. 

"  Force  without  is  despotism.  Force  within  is  religion." — 
Abbott. 


4ft?X 
\ 

RSITYJ 

OF 


JNIVEHSITY) 

A>X^ 


CONTENTS. 

TITLES  AND  REFERENCES. 

SELECTION.  PAGE. 

I.  The  Two  Great  Commandments.    Mark  12:30-31  17 

II.  Young  Children  Blessed.     Mark  10:13-16             -  17 

III.  Morning  and  Evening  Meditations.    Psalm  3:5; 

139:17,  18;  5:3,  4;  139:23,24;  4:8;  5:11  -           -  18 

IV.  Rewards  of  Diligence.     Prov.  10:4;  12:24;  21:5; 

22:29;  28:19-20      -                                                -  19 

V.  The  Lord's  Prayer.     Matt.  6:9-13        -  20 

VI.  The  Lord  My  Protector.     Psalm  23  21 
VII.  Gems  From    Proverbs.     Prov.   10:19;   10:21-23; 

28:19-20;  12:19-22;  11:11,  12,  18;  11:1  21 

VIII.  A  Contrast.     Psalm  i                                               -  23 

IX..  A  Short  Story.     Eccl.  9:14,  15  23 

X.  Depart  from  Evil  and  do  Good.     Psalm  34:11-22  24 

XI.  Sentiments.     Eccl.  11:6;   11:1-2;  11:7;  11:4;  9:18  25 

XII.  Proverbs.     Prov.  22:1-6,  9,  10  25 

XIII.  A  Patient,  Forgiving,  Generous  Father.     Luke 

15:10-15,  17-24  26 

XIV.  Protection  and  Deliverance.     Psalm  34:1-10       -  27 
XV.  Words  of  Cheer.     Psalm  46:1-3;   Isaiah  26:2-4; 

41:10  28 

XVI.  Joyous  Spring.    Solomon's  Song    2:11-13             -  29 
XVII.  Reward  of  Benevolence.    Psalm  41:1-2;  131:1; 

Isaiah  32:8      -  29 

XVIII.  Gratitude.     Psalm  100                                             -  30 

XIX.  Man,  God's  Representative  on  Earth.     Psalm  8  30 

XX.  The  Ten  Commandments.     Ex.  20:3-17  -  -31 

XXL  The  King  of  Glory.     Psalm  24:1-5,  7-10  33 

XXII.  Causes  for  Thanksgiving.     Psalm  147:1,  3,  4,  5-9, 

11-18                                  -                                   -  33 

ii 


12  Contents. 


SELECTION.  PAGE. 

XXIII.  The  Blessed.    Matt.  5:3-12            -  35 

XXIV.  Rewards  of  Obedience.    Prov.  3:1-6               -  35 
XXV.  The  Voice  of  the  Lord.    Psalm  29:1-5,  7,  8, 11  36 

XXVI.  Joseph's  Dreams.     Gen.  37:3-14     -  37 

XXVII.  Joseph  in  Trouble.    Gen.  37:15-24.      -  38 

XXVIII.  Joseph  Sold  into  Slavery.    Gen.  37:25-36  39 

XXIX.  Pharaoh's  Dreams.     Gen.  41:1-16       -            -  40 

XXX.  The   Interpretation    of    the    Dreams.    Gen. 

41:17-36      -  42 

XXXI.  Joseph  in  Honor.    Gen.  41:38-45                    -  43 

XXXII.  The  Famine  in  Egypt.    Gen.  41:46-57      -  44 

XXXIII.  Joseph's  Brethren  Go  to  Egypt.    Gen.  42:3-6, 

8-9,  17-25                                                         -  45 

XXXIV.  Joseph  Makes  Himself  Known  to  his  Breth- 

ren.   Gen.  43:1-2,  13-14,  16-17,27-28;  45:4, 

9-11,25-28                         -           -  47 
XXXV.  Jacob  and  His  Family  Live  in  Egypt.    Gen. 

47:1,  5-6,  7-10;  50:1,  15-22  48 

XXXVI.  Heroic  Aims,     i  Tim.  6: 6-12                          -  50 
XXX VI I.  A   Father's   Instruction  to   His  Son.    Prov. 

4:3-25-        -  50 

XXXVIII.  Help  the  Poor  Gladly.    Deut.  15:7-8,  10,  n  52 

XXXIX.  Humility.    Luke  14:7-11                                   -  53 

XL.  The  Righteous  Man.    Psalm  15.   -  53 

XLI.  What  Shall  the  Harvest  Be?    Gal.  6:7-9.       -  54 

XLII.  Gracious  Words.     Isaiah  32:17;  54:10       -  54 

XLIII.  Justice.     Psalm  9:7-10,  18                                •  54 

XLIV.  A  Hymn  of  Thanksgiving.     Psalm  146  -  55 

XLV.  A  Statesman's  Supplication.     I  Kings  8:57,58  56 

XLVI.  Ancient  Laws.     Ex.  22:1-3,  22,  23,  25;  23:1-2, 

23:7-9;  Deut.  24:14,  15                                   -  56 

XLVI  I.  Idle  Words.     Matt.  12:34-37.    Psalm  119:163  57 

XLV  I II.  Proverbs.     Prov.  20:1,  3-7,  9-11                        •  58 

XLIX.  Pure  Religion.    James  3:26,  27     -  59 

L.  Right  Thoughts.     Phil.  4:8       -  -59 

LI.  Sin  Results  in  Sorrow.    Hosea  4:1-7  59 

LI  I.  The  New  Law.     Matt.  5:43-48              •           •  60 


Contents.  13 


SELECTION.  PAGE. 

LIII.  A  Wakeful  Protector.    Psalm  121  60 

LIV.  Praise.     Psalm  150;  113:3        -                       -  61 

LV.  The  Great  Commandment.    Deut.  6:5-7        •  62 
LVI.  Solemn  and  Joyful  Thoughts  for  the  New 

Year.     Psalm  90:1,  2,  4,  9,  10,  12  ,14-17        -  62 
LVII.  Wonders  of  Nature.     Job  36:26-28,  37:5-13, 

14-16,  18,  22-23  -  -63 

LVIII.  Proverbs.     Prov.  27:1-12     -  65 
LVIX.  The   Heavens  Above  and  the  Law  Within. 

Psalm  19:1-4, 6-19       -                                    -  66 
LX.  Love's  Faithfulness:  Wisdom's  Results.  Prov. 

3:n-35 67 

LXI.  Recognition  of  our  Ruler.     Psalm  65  69 
LXII.  The  Sower,  the  Seed  and  the  Earth.     Matt. 

13:3-9;  13:18-23            ....  70 
LXIII.  Laws  of  Righteousness.    Lev.  19:30-37;  Zech. 

8:16-17                                                            •  71 

LXIV.  Contrasts.    Prov.  11:1-14    -  72 
LXV.  Confession    and    Contrition.      Psalm  51:1-2, 

10-17    -                                                             -  74 

LXVI.  The  Source  of  Help.    Jer.  17:5-11,  14       •  75 

LXVII.  The  Call  to  Righteousness.     Matt.  9:10-13    -  76 

LXVIII.  Proverbs.     Prov.  15:1-16    -  76 

LXIX.  Practical  Instruction.     Prov.  15:17-33             -  78 

LXX.  Our  Best  Friend.    Psalm  145        -   *  79 

LXXI.  Faithfulness.    The  Story  of  Ruth  I.    Ruth 

1:1-11,  14-18     -  80 
LXXI  I.  Faithfulness.    The  Story  of  Ruth  II.     Ruth 

1:22,2:1-12       -                                                 -  82 
LXXIII.  The  Omnipotence  and  Omnipresence  of  God. 

Psalm  139:1-12      -  84 

LXXIV.  The  Two  Houses.    Matt.  7:24-27        -  -85 

LXXV.  Secret  Prayer.     Matt.  6:5-8.     -                        -  85 

LXXVI.  The  Providence  of  God.      Psalm  33:11-22    -  86 

LXXVII.  Eager  Longings.     Psalm  42:1-2, 8- n        -  87 

LXXVIII.  The  Mines.    Job  28:1-11                                   -  87 

LXXIX.  The  Value  of  Wisdom.    Job.  28:12-28      -  88 

LXXX.  A  Call  to  All  in  Need.     Isaiah  55  89 


Contents. 


SELECTION.  PAGE. 

LXXXI.  A  Glad  Mission.    Isaiah  61:1-2  91 

LXXXII.  Alms  Giving.     Matt.  6:1-4.    -                       -  91 

LXXXIII.  The  Good  Samaritan.    Luke  10:25-37         -  92 
LXXXIV.  Our  Father's  Mercy.   Psalm  103:8-18;  Eccl. 

12:13;  Psalm  111:10                                     -  93 

LXXXV.  Samuel's  Integrity.     I  Sam.  12:1-5,  23-24    -  94 
LXXXVI.  Personal    Responsibility.      Ezek.    18:19-28, 

30-32                                                             -  95 

LXXXVII.  The  Divine  Ruler.     Psalm  72:1-14  97 

LXXXVIII.  Fidelity  Rewarded.     Matt.25:i4-2o              -  98 
LXXXIX.  A  Song  of  Courage  and  Triumph.     Psalm 

27:1-6       -                                    -  09 

XC.  A  Supplication.     Psalm  27:7-12                     -  100 
XCI.  Prosperity  the  Reward  of  Obedience.  Deut. 

11:13-23  -  101 

XCII.  The  Two  Brothers.    Gen.  4:2-12  102 

XCIII.  Cause  of  National  Calamity.    Jer.  5:21-31    -  103 

XCIV.    Works  of  Iniquity.     Isaiah  59:1-4,  6-19  104 

XCV.  The  Duties  of    Patriotism.      Rom.  13:1-10  106 

XCVI.  A  Glorious  Future.     Micah  4:1-7  108 

XCVII.  The  Two  Great  Commandments.      Matt. 

22:37-40                                                        -  109 
XCVIII.  The  Source  of   Power,  Wisdom  and    Joy. 

Psalm  119:97-105      -                                    -  109 

XCIX.  Wisdom's  Call.     Pro v.  8:1-36      -  no 
C.  Good    Resolutions    for    a    Ruler.      Psalm 

101:1-7                                                            -  113 

CI.  The  Ideal  Woman.     Prov.  31:10-31        -  113 
CII.  Contemplation    of    Character    and     Law. 

Psalm  119:1-13,  29-37                                   -  115 

CIII.  Faith,  Rest,  Peace.     Psalm  37:3-11        -  117 
CIV.  From  the  Farewell  of  Moses.  Deut.  30: 11-20, 

31:6                           -  118 
CV.  Honorable  Conduct   Required  Under  All 

Circumstances.     Matt.  24:42-51     -  119 
CVI.  The   Lord's  Portion  is  His  People.     Deut. 

32:1-14    -  120 


Contents.  15 


SELECTION.  PAGE. 

CVII.  Glorious  in  Holiness.    Rev.  4:8;  Matt.  5:16; 
Rev.    21:3-4;     i    Chron.  29:11;    Ex.    15-11; 

Isaiah  6:3                      -                                     -  121 

CVIII.  Righteous  Laws.    Lev.  19:3-4,  11-18  122 
CIX.  Peace  and  Blessing  for  the  Upright.     Psalm 

112:1-7;  Isaiah  33:15-16                                    -  123 

CX.  The  God  of  Nature.     Psalm  104    -  124 

CXI.  Rules  of  Conduct.    Rom.  12:8-21                    -  127 

CXII.  A  Final  Resort  in  Trouble.    Psalm  142:1-7  128 

CXIII.  Proverbs.     Prov.  14:23-34                                  -  129 

CXI V.  Yearnings  for  the  Place  of  Worship.   Psalm84  130 

CXV.  The  Glory  that  shall  be  Hereafter.    Isaiah  35  131 

CXVI.  The  City  of  God.     Isaiah  60:1-2,  17-22      -  132 

CXVII.  Works  of  Repentance.     Luke  3:10-14            -  133 

CXVIII.  The  Open  Message.   Isaiah  45:18-19;  48:16-18; 

John  18:20  134 

CXIX.  Leviathan.     Job  42        -                                    -  134 
CXX.  The  Shipwreck,  and  Rescue  of  Paul.    Acts 

27:9-20,  27-29,  39-4  137 
CXXI.  Grief  Because  of  a  False  Friend.     Psalm 

55:6-8,  12-14,  16-22       -                                   -  139 
CXXII.  They  Shall    Be   My   People.    Jer.  31:28-34; 

Matt.  7:7-11  140 
CXXIII.  Faithful    Instructors;    Repentance.      Ezek. 

3:18-21;  33:8,  19                                              -  142 
CXXIV.  Value  of  Hope.     Psalm  31:24;   Lam.   3:26; 

Rom.  8:24-25    -                                    -            -  144 

CXXV.  Advice  to  an  Entertainer.   Luke  14:12-14  -  144 

CXXVI.  Trouble  and  Deliverance.    Job  5:6-23,  26      -  145 
CXXVII.  Cease  to  do  Evil:  Learn  to  do  Well.    Isaiah 

1:16-27                                                             -  147 

CXXVIII.  The  Parable  of  the  Excuses.    Luke  14:15-24  148 

CXXIX.  The  Deliverer.    Psalm  18:1-32,  35-36,  46  149 
CXXX.  The  Bearer  of  Sorrow,  Weakness  and  Sin. 

Isaiah  53  152 
CXXXI.  The  Voice  in  the  Wilderness.     Isaiah  40:3-8, 

10-15,    17                                                           -  153 


1 6  Contents. 


SELECTION.  PAGE. 

CXXXII.  The  Holy  One.     Isaiah  40:21-31  154 
CXXXIII.  Reconciliation  and  Forgiveness.    Matt.  18: 

15-17,21-22       -                        -  156 
CXXXIV.  Personal  and  National  Sin  Brings  Calamity. 

Amos  5  7-15        -  156 

CXXXV.  Man  Proposes;  God  Disposes.  Luke  12:13-21  158 
CXXXVI.  Woe   Follows  Wickedness.     Isaiah  10:1-3; 

5:20-30;  Matt.  11-20-24        -  159 
CXXXVII.  Sin  and  the  Power  that  Removes  It.   Micah 

6:6,  8-14;  7:8,  9,  18-19                                  -  161 
CXXXVIII.  The  Tongue.    James  3:2-12  162 
CXXXIX.  Peace  or  Strife.    James  3:13-18         -           -  163 
CXL.  A  Lofty  Ambition.     I  Kings  3:5-15        -  164 
CXLI.  Compassion  and  Ingratitude.    Matt.i8:23"35  165 
CXLII.  Personal  and  National  Virtue  brings  Pros- 
perity.   Jer.  7:5-7,  23;  9:23-24;  10:23-24  166 
CXLIII.  The  Finite  as  Compared  with  the  Infinite. 

Job  9:2-12,  14-15,  1921,32-33;  11:7-9  -  167 

CXLIV.  In  the  Last  Days.     Mai.  3:1-5,  13-18             -  169 

CXLV.  Praying  Without  Meaning.     Eccl.  5:1-5  179 
CXLVI.  Mysteries    of    Nature,    I.    Job   38:1-7,    12, 

16-27, 31-41  171 
CXLVII.  Mysteries  of  Nature,  II.    Job  39:9-15,  19-22, 

26,  30;  40:1-14;  42:1-6                                 •  173 

CXLVIII.  A  Message  to  the  Young.    Eccl.  12:1-7  176 

CXLIX.  The  Greatest  Thing  in  the  World.  I  Cor.  13  177 
CL.  Summary.    Eccl.     12:8-14;    Hab.    3:17, 18; 

Num.  6:24-26;  Jude  1:26       -  178 


(TJNI 

OF 


READINGS  FROM  THE  BIBLE. 


L 


Great  Commandments. 


Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind, 
and  with  all  thy  strength  :  this  is  the  first  command- 
ment. And  the  second  is  like,  namely  this,  Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  There  is  none 
other  commandment  greater  than  these. 

Mark  12:  3031. 


II. 


Young  Children  Blessed. 


And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that 
he  should  touch  them ;  and  his  disciples  rebuked 
those  that  brought  them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he 
was  much  displeased,  and  said  unto  them,  Suffer 
the  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid 
them  not;  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  God. 
Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Whosoever  shall  not  receive 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not 
enter  therein.  And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms, 
put  his  hands  upon  them,  and  blessed  them. 

Mark  10: 13-16. 
17 


1 8          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


III. 


Morning  and  Evening  Meditations. 

I  laid  me  down  and  slept ;  I  awaked ; 

For  the  Lord  sustained  me.  Pgalm  3. 5 

How  precious  also  are  thy  thoughts   unto   me,   O 

God! 

How  great  is  the  sum  of  them  ! 
If  I  should  count  them,  they  are  more  in  number 

than  the  sand : 
When  I  awake,  I  am  still  with  thee. 

Psalm  139: 17,  18. 

My  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in  the  morning,  O  Lord ; 
In  the  morning  will  I  direct  my  prayer  unto  thee, 
And  will  look  up, 

For  thou  art  not  a  God  that  hath  pleasure  in  wicked- 
ness : 
Neither  shall  evil  dwell  with  thee.  Psalm  5. 3.4 

Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart : 
Try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts : 
And  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way  in  me : 
And  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting. 

Psalm  139:  23-24. 

I  will  both  lay  me  down  in  peace,  and  sleep. 
For  thou,  Lord,  only  makest  me  dwell  in  safety. 

Psalm  4 :  8. 

Let  all  those  that  put  their  trust  in  thee  rejoice : 
Let  them  ever  shout  for  joy,  because  thou  defendest 

them : 
Let  them  also  that  love  thy  name  be  joyful  in  thee. 

Psalm  5:11. 


Rewards  of  Diligence.  1 9 


IV. 


Rewards  of  Diligence. 

He  becometh  poor  that  dealeth  with  a  slack  hand : 
But  the  hand  of  the  diligent  maketh  rich. 

Prov.  10:  4. 

The  hand  of  the  diligent  shall  bear  rule : 
But  the  slothful  shall  be  under  tribute. 

Prov.  12:  24. 

The  thoughts  of  the  diligent  tend  only  to  plenteous- 
ness  ; 
But  of  every  one  that  is  hasty  only  to  want. 

Prov.  21 :  5. 

Seest  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his  business  ? 
He  shall  stand  before  kings ;  he  shall  not  stand  be- 
fore mean  men.  Prov.  22: 29. 
He  that  tilleth  his  land  shall  have  plenty  of  bread : 
But  he  that  followeth  after  vain  persons  shall  have 

poverty  enough. 

A  faithful  man  shall  abound  with  blessings : 
But  he  that  maketh  haste  to  be  rich  shall  not  be  in- 
nocent. Prov.  28- 19.20< 


LJBR/ 

Of 

UNI'V 


20  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


V. 


The  Lords  Prayer. 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  Hallowed  be  thy 

name. 
Thy  kingdom  come.     Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as 

it  is  in  heaven. 

Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 
And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. 
And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 

evil.     Amen.  Matt.  6: 9-13. 

J.  H.  H. 


1 


Oar  Father  which  art  in  beaveu,        Hal  -  lowed         be        thy  name: 


=  =^=  =«=     f5=s=f=tt5 

~g 1 22 i  Z^ i      r     l~^~ 

Thy  Kingdom  come,    Thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as    it         is          in    heaven. 


Give          UB      thia 


1 


onr  dai      .      ly 


bread: 


And  forgive     us      onr  debts,  as        we      for  -  give     our         debtors. 

And  lead        us        oot         in        -         to  temp      »      tation, 


But      do   •   liv   -   er         us     from      •   •    vil,         A 


Gems  from  Proverbs. — //.  2 1 


VI. 


The  Lord  My  Protector. 

The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd  ;  I  shall  not  want. 

He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures : 

He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

He  restoreth  my  soul : 

He  leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his 

name's  sake. 
Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow 

of  death, 

I  will  fear  no  evil : 
For  thou  art  with  me  ; 
Thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me. 
Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of 

mine  enemies : 
Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil :  my  cup  runneth 

over. 
Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the 

days  of  my  life  : 
And  I  will  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever. 

Psalm  23. 

VII. 


Gems  front  Proverbs. 

Hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father, 

And  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother.    Prov  I:8 

In  the  multitude  of  words  there  wanteth  not  sin : 
But  he  that  refraineth  his  lips  is  wise.      Prov<  I0: 19> 


22  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

The  lips  of  the  righteous  feed  many : 

But  fools  die  for  want  of  wisdom. 

The  blessing  of  the  Lord,  it  maketh  rich, 

And  he  addeth  no  sorrow  with  it. 

//  is  as  sport  to  a  fool  to  do  mischief : 

But  a  man  of  understanding  hath  wisdom. 

Prov.  10:  21-23. 

Pleasant  words  are  as  a  honeycomb, 

Sweet  to  the  soul,  and  health  to  the  bones. 

He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty ; 

And  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he  that  taketh  a 

city-  Prov.  16:24,32. 

The  lip  of  truth  shall  be  established  for  ever : 
But  a  lying  tongue  is  but  for  a  moment. 
Deceit  is  in  the  heart  of  them  that  imagine  evil : 
But  to  the  counsellors  of  peace  is  joy. 
There  shall  no  evil  happen  to  the  just : 
But  the  wicked  shall  be  filled  with  mischief. 
Lying  lips  are  abomination  to  the  Lord : 
But  they  that  deal  truly  are  his  delight. 

Prov.  12:  19-22. 

By  the  blessing  of  the  upright  the  city  is  exalted : 
But  it  is  overthrown  by  the  mouth  of  the  wicked. 
He  that  is  void  of  wisdom  despiseth  his  neighbour : 
But  a  man  of  understanding  holdeth  his  peace. 
The  wicked  worketh  a  deceitful  work : 
But  to  him  that  soweth  righteousness  shall  be  a  sure 
reward.  Prov.  II:  n.12t  l8. 

A  false  balance  is  abomination  to  the  Lord : 
But  a  just  weight  is  his  delight.  Prov  „. ,. 


A  Short  Story.  23 


VIII. 


A  Contrast. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  walketh  not  in  the  counsel 

of  the  ungodly, 

Nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners, 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful. 
But  his  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  ; 
And  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate  day  and  night. 
And  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers  of 

water, 

That  bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  his  season : 
His  leaf  also  shall  not  wither ; 
And  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 
The  ungodly  are  not  so : 

But  are  like  the  chaff  which  the  wind  driveth  away. 
Therefore  the  ungodly  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment, 
Nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the  righteous. 
For  the  Lord  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous : 
But  the  way  of  the  ungodly  shall  perish.    Psalm  Ie 


IX. 


A  Short  Story. 


There  was  a  little  city,  and  few  men  within  it ;  and 
there  came  a  great  king  against  it,  and  besieged  it, 
and  built  great  bulwarks  against  it.  Now  there  was 
found  in  it  a  poor  wise  man,  and  he  by  his  wisdom 
delivered  the  city.  Ecci.  9: 14-15. 


24  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


x. 


Depart  from  Evil  and  do  Good. 

Come,  ye  children,  hearken  unto  me : 

I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

What  man  is  he  that  desireth  life, 

And  loveth  many  days,  that  he  may  see  good  ? 

Keep  thy  tongue  from  evil, 

And  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile. 

Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good ; 

Seek  peace,  and  pursue  it, 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous, 

And  his  ears  are  open  unto  their  cry. 

The  face  of  the  Lord  is  against  them  that  do  evil, 

To  cut  off  the  remembrance  of  them  from  the  earth. 

The  righteous  cry,  and  the  Lord  heareth, 

And  delivereth  them  out  of  all  their  troubles. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken 

heart ; 

And  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit. 
Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous : 
But  the  Lord  delivereth  him  out  of  them  all. 
He  keepeth  all  his  bones : 
Not  one  of  them  is  broken. 
Evil  shall  slay  the  wicked : 

And  they  that  hate  the  righteous  shall  be  desolate. 
The  Lord  redeemeth  the  soul  of  his  servants : 
And  none  of  them  that  trust  in  him  shall  be  desolate. 

Psalm  34:  ii-22. 


Proverbs.  25 


XL 


Sentiments. 

In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening 
withhold  not  thine  hand :  for  thou  knowest  not 
whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether 
they  both  shall  be  alike  good.  Eccl  II:6 

Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters :  for  thou  shall 
find  it  after  many  days.  Give  a  portion  to  seven,  and 
also  to  eight ;  for  thou  knowest  not  what  evil  shall 
be  upon  the  earth.  Eccl>  XI .  x.2< 

Truly  the  light  is  sweet,  and  a  pleasant  thing  it  is 
for  the  eyes  to  behold  the  sun :  Eccl  II:7 

He  that  observeth  the  wind  shall  not  sow ;  and 
he  that  regardeth  the  clouds  shall  not  reap. 

Eccl.  11:4. 

Wisdom  is  better  than  weapons  of  war :  but  one 
sinner  destroyeth  much  good.  Eccl.  9:18. 

XII. 


Proverbs. 

A  good   name  is  rather  to   be    chosen  than   great 

riches, 

And  loving  favour  rather  than  silver  and  gold. 
The  rich  and  poor  meet  together : 
The  Lord  is  the  maker  of  them  all. 
A  prudent  man  forseeth  the  evil,  and  hideth  himself: 
But  the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 
By  humility  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord 
Are  riches,  and  honour,  and  life. 
Thorns  and  snares  are  in  the  way  of  the  froward : 


26  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

He  that  doth  keep  his  soul  shall  be  far  from  them. 
Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go : 
And  when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it. 

*          *          *          # 

He  that  hath  a  bountiful  eye  shall  be  blessed ; 
For  he  giveth  of  his  bread  to  the  poor. 
Cast  out  the  scorner,  and  contention  shall  go  out ; 
Yea,  strife  and  reproach  shall  cease. 

Prov.  22:  1-6,  9-10. 

XIII. 


A  Patient,  Forgiving,  Generous  Father. 

I  say  unto  you,  there  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the 
angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth. 

And  he  said,  A  certain  man  had  two  sons : 

And  the  younger  of  them  said  to  his  father, 
Father,  give  me  the  portion  of  goods  that  falleth  to 
me.  And  he  divided  unto  them  his  living. 

And  not  many  days  after  the  younger  son  gath- 
ered all  together,  and  took  his  journey  into  a  far 
country,  and  there  wasted  his  substance  with  riotous 
living. 

And  when  he  had  spent  all,  there  arose  a  mighty 
famine  in  that  land ;  and  he  began  to  be  in  want. 
And  he  went  and  joined  himself  to  a  citizen  of  that 
country;  and  he  sent  him  into  his  fields  to  feed  swine. 

And  when  he  came  to  himself,  he  said,  How  many 
hired  servants  of  my  father's  have  bread  enough  and 
to  spare,  and  I  perish  with  hunger !  I  will  arise  and 
go  to  my  father,  and  will  say  unto  him,  Father,  I 


Protection  and  Deliverance.         2  7 


have  sinned  against  heaven,  and  before  thee.  And 
am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son  :  make  me 
as  one  of  thy  hired  servants. 

And  he  arose,  and  came  to  his  father.  But  when 
he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  his  father  saw  him,  and 
had  compassion,  and  ran,  and  fell  on  his  neck,  and 
kissed  him.  And  the  son  said  unto  him,  Father,  I 
have  sinned  against  heaven,  and  in  thy  sight,  and 
am  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  thy  son. 

But  the  father  said  to  his  servants,  Bring  forth 
the  best  robe,  and  put  it  on  him ;  and  put  a  ring  on 
his  hand,  and  shoes  on  his  feet :  and  bring  hither  the 
fatted  calf,  and  kill  it;  and  let  us  eat,  and  be  merry: 
For  this  my  son  was  dead,  and  is  alive  again  ;  he  was 
lost,  and  is  found.  Luke  15. 10.l5f  I7.24 

XIV. 


Protection  and  Deliverance. 


I  will  bless  the  Lord  at  all  times  : 
His  praise  shall  continually  be  in  my  mouth. 
My  soul  shall  make  her  boast  in  the  Lord : 
The  humble  shall  hear  thereof,  and  be  glad. 

0  magnify  the  Lord  with  me, 
And  let  us  exalt  his  name  together. 

1  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me, 
And  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears. 
They  looked  unto  him,  and  were  lightened: 
And  their  faces  were  not  ashamed. 

This  poor  man  cried,  and  the  Lord  heard  him, 
And  saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles. 


28  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them 

that  fear  him, 
And  delivereth  them. 
O  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good : 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  him.. 
O  fear  the  Lord,  ye  his  saints : 
For  there  is  no  want  to  them  that  fear  him. 
The  young  lions  do  lack,  and  suffer  hunger : 
But  they  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good 

thing.  Psalm  34:1-10. 


XV. 


Words  of  Cheer. 


God  is  our  refuge  and  strength, 
A  very  present  help  in  trouble. 
Therefore  will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be 

removed, 
And  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst 

of  the  sea ; 

Though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be  troubled, 
Though    the    mountains    shake    with    the    swelling 

thereof  Psaim  46:  ,.3. 

Open  ye  the  gates,  that  the  righteous  nation  which 

keepeth  the  truth  may  enter  in. 
Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is 

stayed  onthee: 
Because  he  trusteth  in  thee. 
Trust  ye  in  the  Lord  forever : 
For  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlasting  strength. 

Isaiah  26:  2-4. 


Reward  of  Benevolence.  2  9 

Fear  thou  not ;  for  I  am  with  thee  : 
Be  not  dismayed;  for  I  am  thy  God : 
I  will  strengthen  thee;  yea,  I  will  help  thee; 
Yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right   hand  of  my 
righteousness.  isaiah4i:io. 

XVI. 


Joyous  Spring. 

For,  lo,  the  winter  is  past, 

The  rain  is  over  and  gone: 

The  flowers  appear  on  the  earth; 

The  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come, 

And  the  voice  of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  our  land: 

The  fig  tree  putteth  forth  her  green  figs, 

And  the  vines    with  the    tender   grape  give  a  good 

Smell.  Solomon's  Song  2: 11-13. 

XVII. 


Reward  of  Benevolence. 

Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor: 
The  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble. 
The  Lord  will  preserve  him,  and  keep  him  alive; 
And  he  shall  be  blessed  upon  the  earth: 

Psalm  41:  1-2. 

Lord,  my  heart  is  not  haughty,  nor  mine  eyes  lofty: 

Neither  do  I  exercise  myself  in  great  matters,  or  in 

things  too  high  for  me.  Psalm  13x:  f. 

The  liberal  deviseth  liberal  things; 
And  by  liberal  things  shall  he  stand. 

Isaiah  32:  8. 


30  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


XVIII. 
Gratitude. 

Make  a  joyful  noise  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands. 

Serve  the  Lord  with  gladness: 

Come  before  his  presence  with  singing. 

Know  ye  that  the  Lord  he  is  God: 

It  is  he  that  hath  made  us,  and  not  we  ourselves; 

We  are  his  people,  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture. 

Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving, 

And  into  his  courts  with  praise: 

Be  thankful  unto  him,  and  bless  his  name. 

For  the  Lord  is  good;  his  mercy  is  everlasting: 

And  his  truth  endureth  to  all  generations. 


Psalm  100. 


XIX. 


Man,  God's  Representative  on  Earth. 


O  Lord  our  Lord, 

How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth! 

Who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens. 

Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou 

ordained  strength 
Because  of  thine  enemies, 

That  thou  mightest  still  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 
When    I    consider   thy    heavens,  the   work    of   thy 
fingers, 


The  Ten  Commandments.  31 

The  moon  and  the  stars,  which  thou  hast  ordained; 
What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him? 
And  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  visitest  him? 
For  thou   hast   made  him   a  little   lower  than    the 

angels, 

And  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor. 
Thou  madest  him  to  have  dominion  over  the  works 

of  thy  hands: 

Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet: 
All  sheep  and  oxen, 
Yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  field; 
The  fowl  of  the  air,  and  the  fish  of  the  sea, 
And  whatsoever  passeth  through  the  paths  of   the 

seas. 

O  Lord  our  Lord, 
How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth! 

Psalm  8. 

XX. 


The   Ten  Commandments. 


1.  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before  me. 

2.  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any  graven 
image,  or  any  likeness  of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven 
above,  or  that  is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in 
the  water  under  the  earth:     Thou   shalt  not  bow 
down  thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them :  for  I   the 
Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniq- 
uity of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me ;     And 
shewing  mercy  unto  thousands   of  them  that  love 
me,  and  keep  my  commandments. 


32  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

3.  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord 
thy  God  in  vain :  for  the  Lord  will   not  hold  him 
guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain. 

4.  Remember  the  sabbath  day,  to  keep  it  holy. 
Six  days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work : 
But  the  seventh  day  is  the  sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy 
God :  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor 
thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  manservant,  nor  thy 
maidservant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is 
within  thy  gates :     For  in  six  days  the  Lord   made 
heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in  them  is% 
and  rested  the  seventh    day :   wherefore  the  Lord 
blessed  the  sabbath  day,  and  hallowed  it. 

5.  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother :  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord 
thy  God  giveth  thee. 

6.  Thou  shalt  not  kill. 

7.  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 

8.  Thou  shalt  not  steal. 

9.  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbour. 

10.  Thou    shalt    not    covet     thy    neighbour's 
house,  thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife, 
nor  his  manservant,  nor  his  maidservant,  nor  his  ox, 
nor  his  ass,  nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  neighbour's. 

Ex.  20 : 3-17. 


Causes  for  Thanksgiving.          33 


XXI. 


The  King  of  Glory. 

The  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness  thereof : 

The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein. 

For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the  seas, 

And  established  it  upon  the  floods. 

Who  shall  ascend  into  the  hill  of  the  Lord  ? 

Or  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place  ? 

He  that  hath  clean  hands,  and  a  pure  heart ; 

Who  hath  not  lifted  up  his  soul  unto  vanity, 

Nor  sworn  deceitfully. 

He  shall  receive  the  blessing  from  the  Lord, 

And  righteousness  from  the  God  of  his  salvation 

Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates ; 

And  be  ye  lifted  up,  ye  everlasting  doors  ; 

And  the  King  of  glory  shall  come  in. 

Who  is  this  King  of  glory  ?     The  Lord  strong  and 

mighty. 

The  Lord  mighty  in  battle. 
Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates ; 
Even  lift  them  up,  ye  everlasting  doors ; 
And  the  King  of  glory  shall  come  in. 
Who  is  this  King  of  glory  ?     The  Lord  of  hosts, 
He  is  the  King  of  glory.  pSaim24:i-5,  MO. 

XXII. 


Causes  for  Thanksgiving. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord :  for  it  is  good  to  sing  praises 
unto  our  God :  for  it  is  pleasant :  and  praise  is 
comely. 


34  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

He  healeth  the  broken   in  heart,   and    bindeth  up 

their  wounds. 
He  telleth  the  number  of  the  stars ;  he  calleth  them 

all  by  their  names. 

Great  is  our  Lord,  and  of  great  power :  his  under- 
standing is  infinite. 
The    Lord   lifteth    up   the    meek :    he    casteth    the 

wicked  down  to  the  ground. 
Sing  unto  the  Lord  with  thanksgiving :  sing  praise 

upon  the  harp  unto  our  God : 
Who  covereth  the  heaven  with  clouds,  who  prepar- 

eth  rain  for  the  earth,  who   maketh   grass  to 

grow  upon  the  mountains. 
He  giveth  to  the  beast  his  food,  and  to  the  young 

ravens  which  cry. 
The  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  them   that  fear  him, 

in  those  that  hope  in  his  mercy. 
Praise  the  Lord,  O  Jerusalem ;  praise  thy   God,  O 

Zion. 
For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates ;  he 

hath  blessed  thy  children  within  thee. 
He  maketh   peace  in  thy  borders,  and  filleth   thee 

with  the  finest  of  the  wheat. 
He  sendeth  forth  his  commandment  upon  earth  ;   his 

word  runneth  very  swiftly. 
He  giveth  snow  like  wool :  he  scattereth  the  hoar 

frost  like  ashes. 
He   casteth   forth     his   ice   like   morsels :  who   can 

stand  before  his  cold  ? 
He  sendeth   out  his  word    and   melteth   them :   he 

causeth  his  wind  to  blow  and  the  waters   flow. 

Psalm  147:  i,  3,  4,  5-9, 11-18 


Rewards  of  Obedience.  35 


XXIII. 


The  Blessed. 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit :  for  theirs  is  the  king- 
dom of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  they  that  mourn :  for  they  shall  be 
comforted. 

Blessed  are  the  meek:  for  they  shall  inherit  the 
earth. 

Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness  :  for  they  shall  be  filled. 

Blessed  are  the  merciful :  for  they  shall  obtain 
mercy. 

Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart :  for  they  shall  see 
God. 

Blessed  are  the  peacemakers :  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God. 

Blessed  are  they  which  are  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness' sake :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  per- 
secute you,  and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil 
against  you  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice,  and 
be  exceeding  glad :  for  great  is  your  reward  in 
heaven :  for  so  persecuted  they  the  prophets 
which  were  before  you.  Matt  5. 3_I2 

XXIV. 


Rewards  of  Obedience. 

My  son,  forget  not  my  law; 

But  let  thine  heart  keep  my  commandments 

For  length  of  days,  and  long  life, 


36  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

And  peace,  shall  they  add  to  thee. 

Let  not  mercy  and  truth  forsake  thee : 

Bind  them  about  thy  neck ; 

Write  them  upon  the  table  of  thine  heart : 

So  shalt  thou  find  favour  and  good  understanding 

In  the  sight  of  God  and  man. 

Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart ; 

And  lean  not  unto  thine  own  understanding. 

In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him, 

And  he  shall  direct  thy  paths.  Prov  3.  j_6 

XXV. 


The  Voice  of  the  Lord. 


Give  unto  the  Lord,  O  ye  mighty, 

Give  unto  the  Lord  glory  and  strength. 

Give  unto  the  Lord  the  glory  due  unto  his  name ; 

Worship  the  Lord  in  the  beauty  of  holiness. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  upon  the  waters : 

The  God  of  Glory  thundereth : 

The  Lord  is  upon  many  waters. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  powerful ; 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  is  full  of  majesty. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  breaketh  the  cedars ; 

Yea,  the  Lord  breaketh  the  cedars  of  Lebanon. 

The  voice  of  the  Lord  divideth  the  flames  of  fire, 
The  voice  of  the  Lord  shaketh  the  wilderness. 

The  Lord  will  give  strength  unto  his  people ; 
The  Lord  will  bless  his  people  with  peace. 

Psalm  29: 1-5,  7-8,  n. 


Joseph 's  Dreams.  3  7 


XXVI. 
Joseph 's  Dreams. 

Now  Israel  loved  Joseph  more  than  all  his  child- 
ren, because  he  was  the  son  of  his  old  age  :  and  he 
made  him  a  coat  of  many  colours. 

And  when  his  brethren  saw  that  their  father 
loved  him  more  than  all  his  brethren,  they  hated 
him,  and  could  not  speak  peaceably  unto  him. 

And  Joseph  dreamed  a  dream,  and  he  told  it  his 
brethren  :  and  they  hated  him  yet  the  more.  And 
he  said  unto  them,  Hear,  I  pray  you,  this  dream 
which  I  have  dreamed :  for,  behold,  we  were 
binding  sheaves  in  the  field,  and,  lo,  my  sheaf  arose, 
and  also  stood  upright ;  and,  behold,  your  sheaves 
stood  round  about,  and  made  obeisance  to  my 
sheaf.  And  his  brethren  said  to  him,  Shalt  thou 
indeed  reign  over  us  ?  Or  shalt  thou  indeed  have 
dominion  over  us?  And  they  hated  him  yet  the 
more  for  his  dreams,  and  for  his  words. 

And  he  dreamed  yet  another  dream,  and  told  it 
his  brethren,  and  said,  Behold,  I  have  dreamed  a 
dream  more ;  and,  behold,  the  sun  and  the  moon 
and  the  eleven  stars  made  obeisance  to  me.  And 
he  told  it  to  his  father,  and  to  his  brethren :  and  his 
father  rebuked  him,  and  said  unto  him.  What  is 
this  dream  that  thou  hast  dreamed?  Shall  I  and 
thy  mother  and  thy  brethren  indeed  come  to  bow 
down  ourselves  to  thee  to  the  earth?  And  his 
brethren  envied  him ;  but  his  father  observed  the 
saying. 


38  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

And  his  brethren  went  to  feed  their  father's 
flock  in  Shechem.  And  Israel  said  unto  Joseph, 
Do  not  thy  brethren  feed  the  flock  in  Shechem? 
come,  and  I  will  send  thee  unto  them.  And  he 
said  to  him,  Here  am  I.  And  he  said  to  him,  Go,  I 
pray  thee,  see  whether  it  be  well  with  thy  brethren, 
and  well  with  the  flocks ;  and  bring  me  word  again. 
So  he  sent  him  out  of  the  vale  of  Hebron,  and  he 
came  to  Shechem.  Gen  37: 3.14 

XXVII. 


Joseph  in   Trouble. 


And  a  certain  man  found  him,  and,  behold,  he 
was  wandering  in  the  field :  and  the  man  asked  him, 
saying,  What  seekest  thou? 

And  he  said,  I  seek  my  brethren :  tell  me,  I  pray 
thee,  where  they  feed  their  flocks.  And  the  man 
said,  They  are  departed  hence ;  for  I  heard  them 
say,  Let  us  go  to  Dothan.  And  Joseph  went  after 
his  brethren,  and  found  them  in  Dothan.  And 
when  they  saw  him  afar  off,  even  before  he  came 
near  unto  them,  they  conspired  against  him  to  slay 
him. 

And  they  said  one  to  another,  Behold,  this 
dreamer  cometh.  Come  now  therefore,  and  let  us 
slay  him,  and  cast  him  into  some  pit,  and  we  will 
say,  Some  evil  beast  hath  devoured  him  ;  and  we 
shall  see  what  will  become  of  his  dreams. 

And  Reuben  heard  it,  and  he  delivered  him  out 
of  their  hands ;  and  said,  Let  us  not  kill  him.  And 


Joseph  Sold  into  Slavery.  39 

Reuben  said  unto  them,  Shed  no  blood,  but  cast  him 
into  this  pit  that  is  in  the  wilderness,  and  lay  no 
hand  upon  him ;  that  he  might  rid  him  out  of  their 
hands,  to  deliver  him  to  his  father  again. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Joseph  was  come 
unto  his  brethren,  that  they  stripped  Joseph  out  of 
his  coat,  his  coat  of  many  colours  that  was  on  him ; 
And  they  took  him,  and  cast  him  into  a  pit :  and 
the  pit  was  empty,  there  was  no  water  in  it. 

Gen.  37 : 15-24. 

XXVIII. 


Joseph  Sold  Into  Slavery. 

And  they  sat  down  to  eat  bread :  and  they  lifted 
up  their  eyes  and  looked,  and,  behold,  a  company 
of  Ishmaelites  came  from  Gilead,  with  their  camels 
bearing  spicery  and  balm  and  myrrh,  going  to  carry 
it  down  to  Egypt. 

And  Judah  said  unto  his  brethren,  What  profit  is 
it  if  we  slay  our  brother,  and  conceal  his  blood? 
Come,  and  let  us  sell  him  to  the  Ishmaelites,  and 
let  not  our  hand  be  upon  him ;  for  he  is  our  brother 
and  our  flesh :  and  his  brethren  were  content. 

Then  there  passed  by  Midianites  merchantmen ; 
and  they  drew  and  lifted  up  Joseph  out  of  the  pit, 
and  sold  Joseph  to  the  Ishmaelites  for  twenty  pieces 
of  silver :  and  they  brought  Joseph  into  Egypt. 

And  Reuben  returned  unto  the  pit ;  and,  behold, 
Joseph  was  not  in  the  pit ;  and  he  rent  his  clothes. 
And  he  returned  unto  his  brethren,  and  said,  The 
child  is  not ;  and  I,  whither  shall  I  go? 

And  they  took  Joseph's  coat,  and  killed  a  kid  of 


40  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

the  goats,  and  dipped  the  coat  in  the  blood ;  and 
they  sent  the  coat  of  many  colours,  and  they 
brought  it  to  their  father ;  and  said,  This  have  we 
found :  know  now  whether  it  be  thy  son's  coat  or 
no.  And  he  knew  it,  and  said,  //  is  my  son's  coat ; 
an  evil  beast  hath  devoured  him  ;  Joseph  is  without 
doubt  rent  in  pieces. 

And  Jacob  rent  his  clothes,  and  put  sackcloth 
upon  his  loins,  and  mourned  for  his  son  many  days. 
And  all  his  sons  and  all  his  daughters  rose  up  to 
comfort  him ;  but  he  refused  to  be  comforted ;  and 
he  said,  For  I  will  go  down  into  the  grave  unto  my 
son  mourning.  Thus  his  father  wept  for  him. 

And  the  Midianites  sold  him  into  Egypt  unto 
Potiphar,  an  officer  of  Pharaoh's  and  captain  of  the 

guard.  Gen.  37:  25-36. 

XXIX. 


Pharaoh 's  Dreams. 


And  it  came  to  pass  at  the  end  of  two  full  years, 
that  Pharaoh  dreamed  :  and,  behold,  he  stood  by  the 
river.  And,  behold,  there  came  up  out  of  the  river 
seven  well  favoured  kine  and  fatfleshed ;  and  they 
fed  in  a  meadow.  And,  behold,  seven  other  kine 
came  up  after  them  out  of  the  river,  ill  favoured  and 
leanfleshed ;  and  stood  by  the  other  kine  upon  the 
brink  of  the  river.  And  the  ill  favoured  and  lean- 
fleshed  kine  did  eat  up  the  seven  well  favoured  and 
fat  kine.  So  Pharaoh  awoke. 

And  he  slept  and  dreamed  the  second  time  :  and, 
behold,  seven  ears  of  corn  came  up  upon  one  stalk, 
rank  and  good.  And,  behold,  seven  thin  ears  and 


Pharaoh's  Dreams.  41 

blasted  with  the  east  wind  sprung  up  after  them. 
And  the  seven  thin  ears  devoured  the  seven  rank 
and  full  ears.  And  Pharaoh  awoke,  and,  behold,  it 
was  a  dream. 

And  it  came  to  pass  in  the  morning  that  his  spirit 
was  troubled ;  and  he  sent  and  called  for  all  the 
magicians  of  Egypt,  and  all  the  wise  men  thereof : 
and  Pharaoh  told  them  his  dream  ;  but  there  was  none 
that  could  interpret  them  unto  Pharaoh. 

Then  spake  the  chief  butler  unto  Pharaoh,  saying, 
I  do  remember  my  faults  this  day:  Pharaoh  was 
wroth  with  his  servants,  and  put  me  in  ward  in  the 
captain  of  the  guard's  house,  both  me  and  the  chief 
baker :  and  we  dreamed  a  dream  in  one  night,  I  and 
he ;  we  dreamed  each  man  according  to  the  inter- 
pretation of  his  dream. 

And  there  was  there  with  us  a  young  man,  a  He- 
brew, servant  to  the  captain  of  the  guard ;  and  we 
told  him,  and  he  interpreted  to  us  our  dreams ;  to 
each  man  according  to  his  dream  he  did  interpret. 
And  it  came  to  pass,  as  he  interpreted  to  us,  so  it 
was ;  me  he  restored  unto  mine  office,  and  him  he 
hanged. 

Then  Pharaoh  sent  and  called  Joseph,  and  they 
brought  him  hastily  out  of  the  dungeon :  and  he 
shaved  himself,  and  changed  his  raiment,  and  came 
in  unto  Pharaoh. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  I  have  dreamed 
a  dream,  and  there  is  none  that  can  interpret  it :  and 
I  have  heard  say  of  thee,  that  thou  canst  understand 
a  dream  to  interpret  it. 

And  Joseph  answered  Pharaoh,  saying,  //  is  not 
in  me :  God  shall  give  Pharaoh  an  answer  of  peace. 

Gen.  41 : 1-16. 


42  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


xxx. 


The  Interpretation  of  the  Dreams. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  In  my  dream,  be- 
hold, I  stood  upon  the  bank  of  the  river :  and,  be- 
hold, there  came  up  out  of  the  river  seven  kine,  fat- 
fleshed  and  well  favoured  ;  and  they  fed  in  a  meadow: 
and,  behold,  seven  other  kine  came  up  after  them, 
poor  and  very  ill  favoured  and  leanfleshed,  such  as 
I  never  saw  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt  for  badness : 
and  the  lean  and  the  ill  favoured  kine  did  eat  up  the 
first  seven  fat  kine :  and  when  they  had  eaten  them 
up,  it  could  not  be  known  that  they  had  eaten  them; 
but  they  were  still  ill  favoured,  as  at  the  beginning. 
So  I  awoke. 

And  I  saw  in  my  dream,  and,  behold,  seven  ears 
came  up  in  one  stalk,  full  and  good :  and,  behold, 
seven  ears,  withered,  thin,  and  blasted  with  the  east 
wind,  sprung  up  after  them :  and  the  thin  ears  de- 
voured the  seven  good  ears :  and  I  told  this  unto  the 
magicians;  but  there  was  none  that  could  declare  it 
to  me.  And  Joseph  said  unto  Pharaoh,  The  dream 
of  Pharaoh  is  one :  God  hath  shewed  Pharaoh  what 
he  is  about  to  do. 

The  seven  good  kine  are  seven  years ;  and  the 
seven  good  ears  are  seven  years :  the  dream  is  one. 
And  the  seven  thin  and  ill  favoured  kine  that  came 
up  after  them  are  seven  years  ;  and  the  seven  empty 
ears  blasted  with  the  east  wind  shall  be  seven  years 
of  famine.  This  is  the  thing  which  I  have  spoken 
unto  Pharaoh :  What  God  is  about  to  do  he  sheweth 
unto  Pharaoh. 


Joseph  in  Honor.  43 

Behold,  there  come  seven  years  of  great  plenty 
throughout  all  the  land  of  Egypt :  and  there  shall 
arise  after  them  seven  years  of  famine ;  and  all  the 
plenty  shall  be  forgotten  in  the  land  of  Egypt ;  and 
the  famine  shall  consume  the  land ;  and  the  plenty 
shall  not  be  known  in  the  land  by  reason  of  that 
famine  following ;  for  it  shall  be  very  grievous.  And 
for  that  the  dream  was  doubled  unto  Pharaoh  twice ; 
it  is  because  the  thing  is  established  by  God,  and 
God  will  shortly  bring  it  to  pass. 

Now  therefore  let  Pharaoh  look  out  a  man  dis- 
creet and  wise,  and  set  him  over  the  land  of  Egypt. 
Let  Pharaoh  do  this,  and  let  him  appoint  officers  over 
the  land,  and  take  up  the  fifth  part  of  the  land  of 
Egypt  in  the  seven  plenteous  years.  And  let  them 
gather  all  the  food  of  those  good  years  that  come, 
and  lay  up  corn  under  the  hand  of  Pharaoh,  and  let 
them  keep  food  in  the  cities.  And  that  food  shall 
be  for  store  to  the  land  against  the  seven  years  of 
famine,  which  shall  be  in  the  land  of  Egypt;  that 
the  land  perish  not  through  the  famine.  Gen>  4I:  I7.36> 

XXXI. 


Joseph  in  Honor. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  his  servants,  Can  we  find 
such  a  one  as  this  is,  a  man  in  whom  the  Spirit  of 
God  is? 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  Forasmuch  as 
God  hath  shewed  thee  all  this,  there  is  none  so 
discreet  and  wise  as  thou  art:  thou  shalt  be  over  my 
house,  and  according  unto  thy  word  shall  all  my 


44  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

people  be  ruled :  only  in  the  throne  will  I  be 
greater  than  thou. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  See,  I  have  set 
thee  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh 
took  off  his  ring  from  his  hand,  and  put  it  upon 
Joseph's  hand,  and  arrayed  him  in  vestures  of  fine 
linen,  and  put  a  gold  chain  about  his  neck ;  and  he 
made  him  to  ride  in  the  second  chariot  which  he 
had ;  and  they  cried  before  him,  Bow  the  knee : 
and  he  made  him  ruler  over  all  the  land  of  Egypt. 

And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  I  am  Pharaoh, 
and  without  thee  shall  no  man  lift  up  his  hand  or 
foot  in  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Pharaoh  called 
Joseph's  name  Zaphnath-paaneah ;  and  he  gave  him 
to  wife  Asenath  the  daughter  of  Poti-pherah  priest 
of  On.  And  Joseph  went  out  over  all  the  land  of 

Egypt.  Gen.  41:  38-45. 

XXXII. 


The  Famine  in  Egypt. 

And  Joseph  was  thirty  years  old  when  he  stood 
before  Pharaoh  king  of  Egypt.  And  Joseph  went 
out  from  the  presence  of  Pharaoh,  and  went  through- 
out all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  in  the  seven 
plenteous  years  the  earth  brought  forth  by  handfuls. 
And  he  gathered  up  all  the  food  of  the  seven  years, 
which  were  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  and  laid  up  the 
food  in  the  cities :  the  food  of  the  field,  which  was 
round  about  every  city,  laid  he  up  in  the  same. 
And  Joseph  gathered  corn  as  the  sand  of  the  sea, 
very  much,  until  he  left  numbering;  for  it  was 
without  number. 


Joseph's  Brethren  go  to  Egypt.      45 

And  unto  Joseph  were  born  two  sons,  before  the 
years  of  famine  came :  which  Asenath  the  daughter 
of  Poti-pherah  priest  of  On  bare  unto  him.  And 
Joseph  called  the  name  of  the  first-born  Manasseh: 
For  God,  said  he,  hath  made  me  forget  all  my  toil, 
and  all  my  father's  house.  And  the  name  of  the 
second  called  he  Ephraim:  For  God  hath  caused  me 
to  be  fruitful  in  the  land  of  my  affliction. 

And  the  seven  years  of  plenteousness,  that  was 
in  the  land  of  Egypt,  were  ended.  And  the  seven 
years  of  dearth  began  to  come,  according  as  Joseph 
had  said:  and  the  dearth  was  in  all  lands ;  but  in  all 
the  land  of  Egypt  there  was  bread.  And  when  all 
the  land  of  Egypt  was  famished,  the  people  cried  to 
Pharaoh  for  bread :  and  Pharaoh  said  unto  all  the 
Egyptians,  Go  unto  Joseph  ;  what  he  saith  to  you,  do. 

And  the  famine  was  over  all  the  face  of  the 
earth :  and  Joseph  opened  all  the  storehouses,  and 
sold  unto  the  Egyptians ;  and  the  famine  waxed 
sore  in  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  all  countries  came 
into  Egypt  to  Joseph  for  to  buy  corn;  because  that 
the  famine  was  so  sore  in  all  lands.  Gen  4I.  46_57 

XXXIII. 


Joseph's  Brethren  Go  to  Egypt. 

And  Joseph's  ten  brethren  went  down  to  buy 
corn  in  Egypt.  But  Benjamin,  Joseph's  brother, 
Jacob  sent  not  with  his  brethren ;  for  he  said,  Lest 
peradventure  mischief  befall  him. 

And  Joseph  was  the  governor  over  the  land,  and 
he  it  was  that  sold  to  all  the  people  of  the  land  ;  and 


46  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


Joseph's  brethren  came,  and  bowed  down  themselves 
before  him  with  their  faces  to  the  earth. 

Gen.  42 :  2-6. 

And  Joseph  knew  his  brethren,  but  they  knew 
not  him.  And  Joseph  remembered  the  dreams 
which  he  dreamed  of  them.  Gen.  42:  8-9. 

And  he  put  them  all  together  into  ward  three 
days.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them  the  third  day, 
This  do,  and  live ;  for  I  fear  God :  if  ye  be  true 
men,  let  one  of  your  brethren  be  bound  in  the  house 
of  your  prison :  go  ye,  carry  corn  for  the  famine  of 
our  houses :  but  bring  your  youngest  brother  unto 
me  ;  so  shall  your  words  be  verified,  and  ye  shall  not 
die.  And  they  did  so. 

And  they  said  one  to  another,  We  are  verily 
guilty  concerning  our  brother,  in  that  we  saw  the 
anguish  of  his  soul,  when  he  besought  us,  and  we 
would  not  hear ;  therefore  is  this  distress  come  upon 
us.  And  Reuben  answered  them,  saying,  Spake  I  not 
unto  you,  saying,  Do  not  sin  against  the  child ;  and 
ye  would  not  hear  ?  therefore  behold,  also  his  blood 
is  required.  And  they  knew  not  that  Joseph  under- 
stood them;  for  he  spake  unto  them  by  an  inter- 
preter. And  he  turned  himself  about  from  them,  and 
wept ;  and  returned  to  them  again,  and  communed 
with  them,  and  took  from  them  Simeon,  and  bound 
him  before  their  eyes.  Then  Joseph  commanded  to 
fill  their  sacks  with  corn,  and  to  restore  every  man's 
money  into  his  sack,  and  to  give  them  provision  for 
the  way :  and  thus  did  he  unto  them.  And  they 
laded  their  asses  with  the  corn,  and  departed  thence. 

Gen.  42 :  17-25. 


Joseph  Makes  Himself  Known.      47 


xxxiv. 
Joseph  Makes  Himself  Known  to  his  Brethren. 

And  the  famine  was  sore  in  the  land.  And  it 
came  to  pass,  when  they  had  eaten  up  the  corn 
which  they  had  brought  out  of  Egypt,  their  father 
said  unto  them,  Go  again,  buy  us  a  little  food. 

Gen.  43:  1-2. 

Take  also  your  brother,  and  arise,  go  again  unto 
the  man  :  and  God  Almighty  give  you  mercy  before 
the  man,  that  he  may  send  away  your  other  brother, 
and  Benjamin.  If  I  be  bereaved  of  my  children,  I  am 
bereaved.  Gen. «:  13-14. 

And  when  Joseph  saw  Benjamin  with  them,  he 
said  to  the  ruler  of  his  house,  Bring  these  men  home, 
and  slay,  and  make  ready ;  for  these  men  shall  dine 
with  me  at  noon.  And  the  man  did  as  Joseph 
bade,  and  the  man  brought  the  men  into  Joseph's 

house-  Gen.  43:  16-17. 

And  he  asked  them  of  their  welfare,  and  said,  Is 
your  father  well,  the  old  man  of  whom  ye  spake  ? 
Is  he  yet  alive  ?  And  they  answered,  Thy  servant 
our  father  is  in  good  health,  he  is  yet  alive.  And 
they  bowed  down  their  heads,  and  made  obeisance. 

Gen.  43:  27-28. 

And  Joseph  said  unto  his  brethren,  Come  near  to 
me,  I  pray  you.  And  they  came  near.  And  he 
said,  I  am  Joseph  your  brother,  whom  ye  sold  into 

Egypt.  Gen.  45:  4- 

Haste  ye,  and  go  up  to  my  father,  and  say  unto 
him,  Thus  saith  thy  son  Joseph,  God  hath  made  me 


Readings  from  the  Bible. 


lord  of  all  Egypt  :  come  down  unto  me,  tarry  not  : 
and  thou  shalt  dwell  in  the  land  of  Goshen,  and 
thou  shalt  be  near  unto  me,  thou,  and  thy  children, 
and  thy  children's  children,  and  thy  flocks,  and  thy 
herds,  and  all  that  thou  hast.  Gen  45.  9_IO 

And  they  went  up  out  of  Egypt,  and  came  into 
the  land  of  Canaan  unto  Jacob  their  father,  and  told 
him,  saying,  Joseph  is  yet  alive,  and  he  is  governor 
over  all  the  land  of  Egypt.  And  Jacob's  heart 
fainted,  for  he  believed  them  not.  And  they  told 
him  all  the  words  of  Joseph,  which  he  had  said  unto 
them  :  and  when  he  saw  the  wagons  which  Joseph 
had  sent  to  carry  him,  the  spirit  of  Jacob  their 
father  revived.  And  Israel  said,  It  is  enough;  Joseph 
my  son  is  yet  alive  :  I  will  go  and  see  him  before 

I  die-  Gen.  45  :  25-28. 

XXXV. 


Jacob  and  His  Family  Live  in  Egypt. 

Then  Joseph  came  and  told  Pharaoh,  and  said, 
My  father  and  my  brethren,  and  their  flocks,  and 
their  herds,  and  all  that  they  have,  are  come  out  of 
the  land  of  Canaan;  and,  behold,  they  arc  in  the  land 

Of  Goshen.  Gen.  47:  i,5-6. 

And  Pharaoh  spake  unto  Joseph,  saying,  Thy 
father  and  thy  brethren  are  come  unto  thee :  The 
land  of  Egypt  is  before  thee ;  in  the  best  of  the  land 
make  thy  father  and  brethren  to  dwell ;  in  the 
land  of  Goshen  let  them  dwell :  and  if  thou  knowest 
any  men  of  activity  among  them,  then  make  them 
rulers  over  my  cattle.  And  Joseph  brought  in  Jacob 


Jacob  and  His  Family  Live  in  Egypt.    49 

his  father,  and  set  him  before  Pharaoh :  and  Jacob 
blessed  Pharaoh.  And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Jacob,  How 
old  art  thou  ?  And  Jacob  said  unto  Pharaoh,  The 
days  of  the  years  of  my  pilgrimage  are  a  hundred 
and  thirty  years :  few  and  evil  have  the  days  of  the 
years  of  my  life  been,  and  have  not  attained  unto 
the  days  of  the  years  of  the  life  of  my  fathers  in  the 
days  of  their  pilgrimage.  And  Jacob  blessed  Pha- 
raoh, and  went  out  from  before  Pharaoh. 

Gen.  47:  7-10. 

And  when  Joseph's  brethren  saw  that  their  father 
was  dead,  they  said,  Joseph  will  peradventure  hate 
us,  and  will  certainly  requite  us  all  the  evil  which 
we  did  unto  him.  And  they  sent  a  messenger  unto 
Joseph,  saying,  Thy  father  did  command  before  he 
died,  saying,  So  shall  ye  say  unto  Joseph,  Forgive,  I 
pray  thee  now,  the  trespass  of  thy  brethren,  and  their 
sin ;  for  they  did  unto  thee  evil :  and  now,  we  pray 
thee,  forgive  the  trespass  of  the  servants  of  the  God 
of  thy  father.  And  Joseph  wept  when  they  spake 
unto  him.  And  his  brethren  also  went  and  fell 
down  before  his  face ;  and  they  said,  Behold,  we  be 
thy  servants.  And  Joseph  said  unto  them,  Fear  not : 
for  am  I  in  the  place  of  God  ?  But  as  for  you,  ye 
thought  evil  against  me ;  but  God  meant  it  unto 
good,  to  bring  to  pass,  as  it  is  this  day,  to  save  much 
people  alive.  Now  therefore  fear  ye  not :  I  will 
nourish  you,  and  your  little  ones.  And  he  comforted 
them,  and  spake  kindly  unto  them.  And  Joseph 
dwelt  in  Egypt,  he,  and  his  father's  house :  and 
Joseph  lived  a  hundred  and  ten  years. 

Gen.  50:  i,  15-22. 


50  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


xxxvi. 


Heroic  Aims. 


But  godliness  with  contentment  is  great  gain- 
For  we  brought  nothing  into  this  world,  and  it  is 
certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out.  And  having  food 
and  raiment,  let  us  be  therewith  content.  But  they 
that  will  be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare, 
and  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful  lusts,  which  drown 
men  in  destruction  and  perdition.  For  the  love  of 
money  is  the  root  of  all  evil :  which  while  some 
coveted  after,  they  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and 
pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sorrows. 

But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  flee  these  things  ;  and 
follow  after  righteousness,  godliness,  faith,  love, 
patience,  meekness.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith, 
lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  whereunto  thou  art  also 
called,  and  hast  professed  a  good  profession  before 
many  witnesses.  ,  Tim>  6:  ^ 

XXXVII. 


A  Father  s  Instruction  to  His  Son. 


I  was  my  father's  son, 

Tender  and  only  beloved  in  the  sight  of  my  mother. 
He  taught  me  also,  and  said  unto  me, 
Let  thine  heart  retain  my  words : 
Keep  my  commandments,  and  live. 
Get  wisdom,  get  understanding : 
Forget  it  not ;  neither  decline  from  the  words  of  my 
mouth. 


A  Father's  Instruction  to  his  Son.    51 

Forsake  her  not,  and  she  shall  preserve  thee : 

Love  her,  and  she  shall  keep  thee. 

Wisdom  is  the  principal  thing ;  therefore  get  wisdom  : 

And  with  all  thy  getting  get  understanding. 

Exalt  her,  and  she  shall  promote  thee : 

She  shall  bring  thee  to  honour,  when  thou  dost  em- 
brace her. 

She  shall  give  to  thine  head  an  ornament  of  grace : 

A  crown  of  glory  shall  she  deliver  to  thee. 

Hear,  O  my  son,  and  receive  my  sayings ; 

And  the  years  of  thy  life  shall  be  many. 

I  have  taught  thee  in  the  way  of  wisdom ; 

I  have  led  thee  in  right  paths. 

When  thou  goest,  thy  steps  shall  not  be  straitened ; 

And  when  thou  runnest,  thou  shalt  not  stumble. 

Take  fast  hold  of  instruction  ;  let  her  not  go  : 

Keep  her ;  for  she  is  thy  life. 

Enter  not  into  the  path  of  the  wicked, 

And  go  not  in  the  way  of  evil  men. 

Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it, 

Turn  from  it,  and  pass  away. 

For  they  sleep  not,  except  they  have  done  mischief; 

And  their  sleep  is  taken  away,  unless  they  cause 
some  to  fall. 

For  they  eat  the  bread  of  wickedness, 

And  drink  the  wine  of  violence. 

But  the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light, 

That  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

The  way  of  the  wicked  is  as  darkness : 

They  know  not  at  what  they  stumble. 

My  son,  attend  to  my  words ; 

Incline  thine  ear  unto  my  sayings. 

Let  them  not  depart  from  thine  eyes ; 


52  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Keep  them  in  the  midst  of  thine  heart. 

For  they  are  life  unto  those  that  find  them, 

And  health  to  all  their  flesh. 

Keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence ; 

For  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of  life. 

Put  away  from  thee  a  froward  mouth, 

And  perverse  lips  put  far  from  thee. 

Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on, 

And  let  thine  eyelids  look  straight  before  thee. 

Ponder  the  path  of  thy  feet, 

And  let  all  thy  ways  be  established. 

Turn  not  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left : 

Remove  thy  foot  from  evil.  Proverbs  4: 3-25. 

XXXVIII. 


Help  the  Poor  Gladly. 

If  there  be  among  you  a  poor  man  of  one  of  thy 
brethren  within  any  of  thy  gates  in  thy  land  which 
the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee,  thou  shalt  not 
harden  thine  heart,  nor  shut  thine  hand  from  thy 
poor  brother:  but  thou  shalt  open  thine  hand  wide 
unto  him,  and  shalt  surely  lend  him  sufficient  for 
his  need,  in  that  which  he  wanteth.  Thou  shalt 
surely  give  him,  and  thine  heart  shall  not  be  grieved 
when  thou  givest  unto  him :  because  that  for  this 
thing  the  Lord  thy  God  shall  bless  thee  in  all  thy 
works,  and  in  all  that  thou  puttest  thine  hand  unto. 
For  the  poor  shall  never  cease  out  of  the  land: 
therefore  I  command  thee,  saying,  Thou  shalt  open 
thine  hand  wide  unto  thy  brother,  to  thy  poor,  and 
to  thy  needy,  in  thy  land.  Deut.  15-.  7-8.10-11. 


The  Righteous  Man.  53 


xxxix. 

Humility. 

And  he  put  forth  a  parable  to  those  which  were 
bidden,  when  he  marked  how  they  chose  out  the 
chief  rooms  ;  saying  unto  them, 

When  thou  art  bidden  of  any  man  to  a  wedding, 
sit  not  down  in  the  highest  room ;  lest  a  more  hon- 
ourable man  than  thou  be  bidden  of  him ;  and  he 
that  bade  thee  and  him  come  and  say  to  thee,  Give 
this  man  place ;  and  thou  begin  with  shame  to  take 
the  lowest  room. 

But  when  thou  art  bidden,  go  and  sit  down  in  the 
lowest  room;  that  when  he  that  bade  thee  cometh,  he 
may  say  unto  thee,  Friend,  go  up  higher :  then  shalt 
thou  have  worship  in  the  presence  of  them  that  sit  at 
meat  with  thee. 

For  whosoever  exalteth  himself  shall  be  abased ; 
and  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  exalted. 

Luke  14:7-11. 

XL. 


The  Righteous  Man. 

Lord,  who  shall  abide  in  thy  tabernacle  ? 
Who  shall  dwell  in  thy  holy  hill  ? 
He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  worketh  righteous- 
ness, 

And  speaketh  the  truth  in  his  heart. 
He  that  backbiteth  not  with  his  tongue, 
Nor  doeth  evil  to  his  neighbour, 
Nor  taketh  up  a  reproach  against  his  neighbour. 
In  whose  eyes  a  vile  person  is  contemned ; 


54  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

But  he  honoureth  them  that  fear  the  Lord. 

He  that  sweareth  to  his  own  hurt,  and  changeth  not. 

He  that  putteth  not  out  his  money  to  usury, 

Nor  taketh  reward  against  the  innocent. 

He  that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  be  moved. 

Psalm  15. 

XLI. 


What  Shall  the  Harvest  Bef 


Be  not  deceived ;  God  is  not  mocked :  for  what- 
soever a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap.  For 
he  that  soweth  to  his  flesh  shall  of  the  flesh  reap 
corruption ;  but  he  that  soweth  to  the  Spirit  shall  of 
the  Spirit  reap  life  everlasting.  And  let  us  not  be 
weary  in  well  doing ;  for  in  due  season  we  shall 
reap,  if  we  faint  not.  Galt  6<  7^ 

XLII. 


Gracious  Words. 

And  the  work  of  righteousness  shall  be  peace ; 
and  the  effect  of  righteousness,  quietness  and  assur- 
ance for  ever.  Isaiah  32: 17. 

For  the  mountains  shall  depart,  and  the  hills  be 
removed ;  but  my  kindness  shall  not  depart  from 
thee,  neither  shall  the  covenant  of  my  peace  be 
removed,  saith  the  Lord  that  hath  mercy  on  thee. 

Isaiah  54: 10. 

XLIII. 
Justice. 


The  Lord  shall  endure  for  ever ; 

He  hath  prepared  his  throne  for  judgment. 


A  Hymn  of  Thanksgiving.          55 

And  he  shall  judge  the  world  in  righteousness, 

He  shall  minister  judgment  to  the  people  in  upright- 
ness. 

The  Lord  also  will  be  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed, 

A  refuge  in  times  of  trouble. 

And  they  that  know  thy  name  will  put  their  trust  in 
thee: 

For  thou,  Lord,  hast  not  forsaken  them  that  seek  thee. 

The  needy  shall  not  always  be  forgotten : 

The  expectation  of  the  poor  shall  not  perish  forever. 

Psalm  9 : 7-10, 18. 

XLIV. 


A  Hymn  of  Thanksgiving. 


Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

While  I  live  will  I  praise  the  Lord : 

I  will  sing  praises  unto  my  God  while  I  have  any 

being. 

Put  not  your  trust  in  princes, 
Nor  in  the  son  of  man,  in  whom  there  is  no  help. 
His  breath  goeth  forth,  he  returneth  to  his  earth ; 
In  that  very  day  his  thoughts  perish. 
Happy  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  his  help, 
Whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God : 
Which  made  heaven,  and  earth, 
The  sea,  and  all  that  therein  is: 
Which  keepeth  truth  for  ever : 
Which  executeth  judgment  for  the  oppressed : 
Which  giveth  food  to  the  hungry. 
The  Lord  looseth  the  prisoners : 
The  Lord  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind : 
The  Lord  raiseth  them  that  are  bowed  down : 


56  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

The  Lord  loveth  the  righteous : 

The  Lord  preserveth  the  strangers ; 

He  relieveth  the  fatherless  and  widow : 

But  the  way  of  the  wicked  he  turneth  upside  down. 

The  Lord  shall  reign  for  ever, 

Even  thy  God,  O  Zion,  unto  all  generations. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord.  Psalm  I46. 

XLV. 


A  Statesman  s  Supplication. 

The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  he  was  with 
our  fathers :  let  him  not  leave  us,  nor  forsake  us : 
that  he  may  incline  our  hearts  unto  him,  to  walk  in 
all  his  ways,  and  to  keep  his  commandments,  and 
his  statutes,  and  his  judgments,  which  he  com- 
manded our  fathers.  I8t  Kinjfs  8. 57.53. 

XLVI. 

Ancient  Laws. 


If  a  man  shall  steal  an  ox,  or  a  sheep,  and  kill  it, 
or  sell  it ;  he  shall  restore  five  oxen  for  an  ox,  and 
four  sheep  for  a  sheep. 

If  a  thief  be  found  breaking  up,  and  be  smitten 
that  he  die,  there  shall  no  blood  be  shed  for  him. 

If  the  sun  be  risen  upon  him,  there  shall  be  blood 
shed  for  him  ;  for  he  should  make  full  restitution  ;  if 
he  have  nothing,  then  he  shall  be  sold  for  his  theft. 

If  the  theft  be  certainly  found  in  his  hand  alive, 
whether  it  be  ox,  or  ass,  or  sheep ;  he  shall  restore 
double. 

If  a  man  shall  cause  a  field  or  vineyard  to  be 
eaten,  and  shall  put  in  his  beast,  and  shall  feed  in 


Idle  IVords.  57 


another  man's  field ;  of  the  best  of  his  own  field,  and 
and  of  the  best  of  his  own  vineyard,  shall  he  make 
restitution. 

Ye  shall  not  afflict  any  widow,  or  fatherless  child. 
If  thou  afflict  them  in  any  wise,  and  they  cry  at  all 
unto  me,  I  will  surely  hear  their  cry.  If  thou  lend 
money  to  any  of  my  people  that  is  poor  by  thee, 
thou  shalt  not  be  to  him  as  a  usurer,  neither  shalt 
thou  lay  upon  him  usury.  EX.  22: 1-3, 22, 23, 25. 

Thou  shalt  not  raise  a  false  report ;  put  not  thine 
hand  with  the  wicked  to  be  an  unrighteous  witness. 
Thou  shalt  not  follow  a  multitude  to  do  evil. 

Ex.  23,  1-2. 

Keep  thee  far  from  a  false  matter ;  and  the  inno- 
cent and  righteous  slay  thou  not :  for  I  will  not 
justify  the  wicked.  And  thou  shalt  take  no  gift : 
for  the  gift  blindeth  the  wise,  and  perverteth  the 
words  of  the  righteous.  Also  thou  shalt  not  oppress 
a  stranger.  Ex.  23: 7-9. 

Thou  shalt  not  oppress  a  hired  servant  that  is 
poor  and  needy,  whether  he  be  of  thy  brethren,  or  of 
thy  strangers  that  are  in  thy  land  within  thy  gates : 
At  his  day  thou  shalt  give  him  his  hire,  neither  shall 
the  sun  go  down  upon  it ;  for  he  is  poor,  and  setteth 
his  heart  upon  it :  lest  he  cry  against  thee  unto  the 
Lord,  and  it  be  sin  unto  thee.  Deut>  24. 14.I5< 

XLVII. 


Idle  Words. 

How  can  ye,  being  evil,  speak  good  things  ?  For 
out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart  the  mouth  speak - 
eth.  A  good  man  out  of  the  good  treasure  of  the 


5  8  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

heart  bringeth  forth  good  things :  and  an  evil  man 
out  of  the  evil  treasure  bringeth  forth  evil  things. 

But  I  say  unto  you,  that  every  idle  word  that 
men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  account  thereof  in 
the  day  of  judgment. 

For  by  thy  words  thou  shalt  be  justified,  and  by 
thy  words  thou  shalt  be  condemned.    Matt.  12: 34-37. 
I  hate  and  abhor  lying: 
But  thy  law  do  I  love.  Psalms  ,I9.  ,63. 

XLVIII. 


Proverbs. 

Wine  is  a  mocker,  strong  drink  is  raging : 

And  whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is  not  wise. 

It  is  an  honour  for  a  man  to  cease  from  strife: 

But  every  fool  will  be  meddling. 

The  sluggard  will  not  plough  by  reason  of  the  cold. 

Therefore  shall  he  beg  in  harvest,  and  have  nothing. 

Counsel  in  the  heart  of  man  is  like  deep  water : 

But  a  man  of  understanding  will  draw  it  out. 

Most  men  will  proclaim  every  one  his  own  good- 
ness : 

But  a  faithful  man  who  can  find? 

The   just  man  walketh  in  his  integrity: 

His  children  are  blessed  after  him. 

Who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart  clean,  I  am 
pure  from  my  sin  ? 

Divers  weights,  and  divers  measures, 

Both  of  them  are  alike  abomination  to  the  Lord. 

Even  a  child  is  known  by  his  doings, 

Whether  his  work  be  pure,  and  whether  */  be  right. 

Prov  ao:  i,  3-7,  9,11. 


Sin  Results  in  Sorrow.  59 


XLIX. 


Pure  Religion. 

If  any  man  among  you  seem  to  be  religious,  and 
bridleth  not  his  tongue,  but  deceiveth  his  own 
heart,  this  man's  religion  is  vain.  Pure  religion  and 
undefiled  before  God  and  the  Father  is  this,  To 
visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction, 
and  to  keep  himself  unspotted  from  the  world. 

James  3:  26-27. 

L. 


Right  Thoughts. 

Whatsoever  things  are  true,  whatsoever  things 
are  honest,  whatsoever  things  are  just,  whatsoever 
things  are  pure,  whatsoever  things  are  lovely,  what- 
soever things  are  of  good  report ;  if  there  be  any 
virtue,  and  if  there  be  any  praise,  think  on  these 
things.  Phii.  4.  8. 

LI. 


Sin  Results  in  Sorrow. 


The  Lord  hath  a  controversy  with  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  land,  because  there  is  no  truth,  nor 
mercy,  nor  knowledge  of  God  in  the  land.  There- 
fore shall  the  land  mourn,  and  every  one  that 
dwelleth  therein  shall  languish,  with  the  beasts  of 
the  field,  and  with  the  fowls  of  heaven ;  yea,  the 
fishes  of  the  sea  also  shall  be  taken  away. 

Hosea  4:1-7. 

Many  sorrows  shall  be  to  the  wicked:  but  he  that 
trusteth  in  the  LORD,  mercy  shall  compass  him 

about.  Psalm  32:10 


60  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LII. 


The  New  Law. 


Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbour,  and  hate  thine  enemy.  But  I 
say  unto  you,  Love  your  enemies,  bless  them  that 
curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray 
for  them  which  despitefully  use  you,  and  persecute 
you ;  that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven :  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise 
on  the  evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on 
the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 

For  if  ye  love  them  which  love  you,  what  reward 
have  ye?  do  not  even  the  publicans  the  same?  And 
if  ye  salute  your  brethren  only,  what  do  ye  more 
than  others?  do  not  even  the  publicans  so? 

Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect.  Matt.  5:43-48. 

LIII. 


A    Wakeful  Protector. 


I  will  lift  up  mine  eyes  unto  the  hills, 
From  whence  cometh  my  help. 
My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord, 
Which  made  heaven  and  earth. 
He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  be  moved 
He  that  keepeth  thee  will  not  slumber. 
Behold,  he  that  keepeth  Israel 
Shall  neither  slumber  or  sleep. 


Praise.  6 1 


The  Lord  is  thy  keeper : 

The  Lord  is  thy  shade  upon  thy  right  hand 

The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 

Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil : 

He  shall  preserve  thy  soul. 

The  Lord  shall   preserve  thy  going    out    and    thy 

coming  in 
From  this  time  forth,  and  even  for  evermore. 

Psalm  121. 

LIV. 


Praise. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

Praise  God  in  his  sanctuary : 

Praise  him  in  the  firmament  of  his  power. 

Praise  him  for  his  mighty  acts: 

Praise  him  according  to  his  excellent  greatness. 

Praise  him  with  the  sound  of  the  trumpet: 

Praise  him  with  the  psaltery  and  harp. 

Praise  him  with  the  timbrel  and  dance: 

Praise  him  with  stringed  instruments  and  organs. 

Praise  him  upon  the  loud  cymbals: 

Praise  him  upon  the  high  sounding  cymbals. 

Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord.  Psalm  150. 

From  the  rising  of  the  sun  unto  the  going  down  of 

the  same 
The  Lord's  name  is  to  be  praised.  Psalm  ,,3: 3 


62  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LV. 


The  Great  Commandment. 


And  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thine  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
might.  And  these  words,  which  I  command  thee 
this  day,  shall  be  in  thine  heart :  and  thou  shalt 
teach  them  diligently  unto  thy  children,  and  shalt 
talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and 
when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  and  when  thou  liest 
down,  and  when  thou  risest  up.  Deut.6:$-7. 

LVI. 


Solemn  and  Joyful  Thoughts  for  the  New  Year. 

Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  dwelling  place 

In  all  generations. 

Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth, 

Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 

Even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  thou  art  God. 

For  a  thousand  years  in  thy  sight 
Are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is  past. 
And  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told. 

The  days  of  our  years  are  threescore  years  and  ten ; 

And  if  by  reason  of  strength  they  be  fourscore  years, 

Yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sorrow ; 

For  it  is  soon  cut  off,  and  we  fly  away. 


Wonders  of  Nature.  63 

So  teach  us  to  number  our  days, 

That  we  may  apply  our  hearts  urito  wisdom. 

O  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy; 

That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days. 

Make  us  glad  according  to  the  days  wherein  thou 

hast  afflicted  us, 

And  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil. 
Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants, 
And  thy  glory  unto  their  children. 
And  let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us: 
And  establish  thou  the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us ; 
Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands  establish  thou  it. 

Psalm  90 :  i,  a,  4t  9.  10,  12,  14-17 

LVII. 


Wonders  of  Nature. 


Behold,  God  is  great,  and  we  know  him  not, 

Neither  can  the  number  of  his  years  be  searched  out. 

For  he  maketh  small  the  drops  of  water : 

They  pour  down  rain  according  to  the  vapour  thereof ; 

Which  the  clouds  do  drop 

And  distil  upon  man  abundantly.  job  36: 2b.^ 

God  thundereth  marvellously  with  his  voice ; 

Great  things  doeth  he,  which  we  cannot  comprehend. 

For  he  saith  to  the  snow,  Be  thou  on  the  earth ; 

Likewise  to  the  small  rain. 

And  to  the  great  rain  of  his  strength. 

He  sealeth  up  the  hand  of  every  man ; 

That  all  men  may  know  his  work. 


64  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Then  the  beasts  go  into  dens, 

And  remain  in  their  places. 

Out  of  the  south  cometh  the  whirlwind : 

And  cold  out  of  the  north. 

By  the  breath  of  God  frost  is  given : 

And  the  breadth  of  the  waters  is  straitened. 

Also  by  watering  he  wearieth  the  thick  cloud : 

He  scattereth  his  bright  cloud  : 

And  it  is  turned  round  about  by  his  counsels : 

That  they  may  do  whatsoever  he  commandeth  them 

Upon  the  face  of  the  world  in  the  earth. 

He  causeth  it  to  come, 

Whether  for  correction,  or  for  his  land,  or  for  mercy. 

Consider  the  wondrous  works  of  God. 

Dost  thou  know  when  God  disposed  them, 

And  caused  the  light  of  his  cloud  to  shine  ? 

Dost  thou  know  the  balancings  of  the  clouds, 

The  wondrous   works   of  him   which   is   perfect   in 

knowledge  ? 

Hast  thou  with  him  spread  out  the  sky, 
Which  is  strong,  and  as  a  molten  looking-glass  ? 
Fair  weather  cometh  out  of  the  north : 
With  God  is  terrible  majesty. 
Touching  the  Almighty,  we  cannot  find  him  out : 
He  is  excellent  in  power,  and  in  judgment,  and  in 

plenty  of  justice.  Job  37:  S.I3>  14.l6i  l8i  22_23. 


Proverbs.  65 


LVIII. 

Proverbs. 

Boast  not  thyself  of  to-morrow ; 

For  thou  knowest  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth. 

Let  another  man  praise  thee,  and   not  thine  own 

mouth ; 

A  stranger,  and  not  thine  own  lips. 
A  stone  is  heavy,  and  the  sand  weighty; 
But  a  fool's  wrath  is  heavier  than  them  both. 
Wrath  is  cruel,  and  anger  is  outrageous ; 
But  who  is  able  to  stand  before  envy? 
Open  rebuke  is  better  than  secret  love. 
Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend ; 
But  the  kisses  of  an  enemy  are  deceitful. 
The  full  soul  loatheth  a  honeycomb ; 
But  to  the  hungry  soul  every  bitter  thing  is  sweet. 
As  a  bird  that  wandereth  from  her  nest, 
So  is  a  man  that  wandereth  from  his  place. 
Ointment  and  perfume  rejoice  the  heart : 
So  doth  the  sweetness  of  a  man's  friend  by  hearty 

counsel. 
Thine  own  friend,  and  thy  father's  friend,  forsake 

not ; 
Neither  go  into  thy  brother's  house  in  the  day  of 

thy  calamity: 
For  better  is  a  neighbour  that  is  near  than  a  brother 

far  off. 

My  son,  be  wise,  and  make  my  heart  glad, 
That  I  may  answer  him  that  reproacheth  me. 
A  prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil,  £?K/hideth  himself ; 
But  the  simple  pass  on,  and  are  punished. 

Prov.  27:  i-ia. 


66  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LIX. 


The  Heavens  Above  and  the  Law  Within. 


The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God ; 

And  the  firmament  sheweth  his  handywork. 

Day  unto  day  uttereth  speech, 

And  night  unto  night  sheweth  knowledge. 

There  is  no  speech  nor  language,  where  their  voice 

is  not  heard. 

Their  line  is  gone  out  through  all  the  earth, 
And  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world. 
In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun. 

His  going  forth  is  from  the  end  of  the  heaven, 
And  his  circuit  unto  the  ends  of  it : 
And  there  is  nothing  hid  from  the  heat  thereof. 
The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul : 
The  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the 

simple. 

The  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart: 
The  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enlighten- 
ing the  eyes. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever : 
The  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous 

altogether. 
More  to   be   desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than 

much  fine  gold : 

Sweeter  also  than  honey  and  the  honeycomb. 
Moreover  by  them  is  thy  servant  warned : 
And  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward. 
Who  can  understand  his  errors  ? 


Love's  Faithfulness:  Wisdom's  Results.   67 

Cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults. 

Keep  back  thy  servant  also  from  presumptuous  sins; 

Let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me :  then  shall  I 
be  upright, 

And  I  shall  be  innocent  from  the  great  transgres- 
sion. 

Let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the  meditation  of 
my  heart,  be  acceptable  in  thy  sight, 

O  Lord,  my  strength,  and  my  redeemer. 

Psalm  19: 1-4,  6-19. 

LX. 


Loves  Faithfulness;   Wisdom  s  Results. 

My  son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord ; 

Neither  be  weary  of  his  correction : 

For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  correcteth ; 

Even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  delighteth. 

Happy  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom, 

And  the  man  that  getteth  understanding : 

For  the  merchandise  of  it  is  better  than  the  mer- 
chandise of  silver, 

And  the  gain  thereof  than  fine  gold. 

She  is  more  precious  than  rubies : 

And  all  the  things  thou  canst  desire  are  not  to  be 
compared  unto  her. 

Length  of  days  is  in  her  right  hand ; 

And  in  her  left  hand  riches  and  honour. 

Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness, 

And  all  her  paths  are  peace. 

She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  upon  her : 

And  happy  is  every  one  that  retaineth  her. 


68  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

The  Lord  by  wisdom  hath  founded  the  earth ; 

By  understanding  hath  he  established  the  heavens. 

By  his  knowledge  the  depths  are  broken  up, 

And  the  clouds  drop  down  the  dew. 

My  son,  let  not  them  depart  from  thine  eyes : 

Keep  sound  wisdom  and  discretion : 

So  shall  they  be  life  unto  thy  soul, 

And  grace  to  thy  neck. 

Then  shalt  thou  walk  in  thy  way  safely, 

And  thy  foot  shall  not  stumble. 

When  thou  liest  down  thou  shalt  not  be  afraid ; 

Yea,  thou  shalt   lie  down,  and  thy    sleep  shall   be 

sweet. 

Be  not  afraid  of  sudden  fear, 
Neither  of  the  desolation   of  the  wicked,  when  it 

cometh. 

For  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  confidence, 
And  shall  keep  thy  foot  from  being  taken. 
Withhold  not  good  from  them  to  whom  it  is  due, 
When  it  is  in  the  power  of  thine  hand  to  do  it. 
Say  not  unto  thy  neighbour,  Go,  and  come  again, 
And  to-morrow  I  will  give ; 
When  thou  hast  it  by  thee. 
Devise  not  evil  against  thy  neighbour, 
Seeing  he  dwelleth  securely  by  thee. 
Strive  not  with  a  man  without  cause, 
If  he  have  done  thee  no  harm. 
Envy  thou  not  the  oppressor, 
And  choose  none  of  his  ways. 
For  the  froward  is  abomination  to  the  Lord : 
But  his  secret  is  with  the  righteous. 
The  curse  of  the  Lord  is  in  the  house  of  the  wicked  : 
But  he  blesseth  the  habitation  of  the  just. 


Recognition  of  our  Ruler.  69 


Surely  he  scorneth  the  scorners : 

But  he  giveth  grace  unto  the  lowly. 

The  wise  shall  inherit  glory  : 

But  shame  shall  be  the  promotion  of  fools. 

Prov.  3:  «-35 

LXI. 


Recognition  of  our  Ruler. 

Praise  waiteth  for  thee,  O  God,  in  Zion : 

And  unto  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed. 

O  thou  that  heareth  prayer, 

Unto  thee  shall  all  flesh  come. 

Iniquities  prevail  against  me : 

As  for  our  transgressions,  thou  shalt  purge  them  away. 

Blessed  is  the  man  whom  thou  choosest,  and  causest 

to  approach  unto  thee, 
That  he  may  dwell  in  thy  courts  : 
We  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  goodness  of  thy  house, 
Even  of  thy  holy  temple. 

#p  terrible  things  in  righteousness  wilt  thou  answer  us, 
O  God  of  our  salvation ; 

Who  art  the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  of  them  that  are  afar  off  upon  the  sea : 
Which  by  his  strength  setteth  fast  the  mountains ; 
Being  girded  with  power : 
Which  stilleth  the  noise  of  the  seas,  the  noise  of 

their  waves, 

And  the  tumult  of  the  people. 
They  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  are  afraid 

at  thy  tokens : 
Thou  maketh  the  outgoings  of   the    morning   and 

evening  to  rejoice. 


70  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Thou  visitest  the  earth,  and  waterest  it : 

Thou  greatly  enrichest  it  with  the  river  of  God,  which 
is  full  of  water : 

Thou  preparest  them  corn,  when  thou  hast  so  pro- 
vided for  it. 

Thou  waterest  the  ridges  thereof  abundantly: 

Thou  settlest  the  furrows  thereof: 

Thou  makest  it  soft  with  showers : 

Thou  blessest  the  springing  thereof. 

Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness ; 

And  thy  paths  drop  fatness. 

They  drop  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness : 

And  the  little  hills  rejoice  on  every  side. 

The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks ; 

The  valleys  also  are  covered  over  with  corn ; 

They  shout  for  joy,  they  also  sing.  psaim65. 

LXII. 


The  Sower,  the  Seed,  and  the  Earth. 


Behold,  a  sower  went  forth  to  sow;  and  when  he 
sowed,  some  seeds  fell  by  the  way  side,  and  the  fowls 
came  and  devoured  them  up :  some  fell  upon  stony 
places,  where  they  had  not  much  earth :  and  forth- 
with they  sprung  up,  because  they  had  no  deepness 
of  earth :  and  when  the  sun  was  up,  they  were 
scorched ;  and  because  they  had  no  root,  they  with- 
ered away. 

And  some  fell  among  thorns ;  and  the  thorns 
sprung  up,  and  choked  them:  but  other  fell  into 


Laws  of  Righteousness.  7 1 


good  ground,  and  brought  forth  fruit,  some  a  hun- 
dredfold, some  sixtyfold,  some  thirtyfold, 
Who  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 

Matt.  13: 3-9. 

Hear  ye  therefore  the  parable  of  the  sower. 

When  any  one  heareth  the  word  of  the  kingdom, 
and  understandeth  it  not,  then  cometh  the  wicked 
one,  and  catcheth  away  that  which  was  sown  in  his 
heart.  This  is  he  which  received  seed  by  the  way 
side. 

But  he  that  received  the  seed  into  stony  places, 
the  same  is  he  that  heareth  the  word,  and  anon  with 
joy  receiveth  it ;  yet  hath  he  not  root  in  himself,  but 
dureth  for  a  while :  for  when  tribulation  or  persecu- 
tion ariseth  because  of  the  word,  by  and  by  he  is 
offended. 

He  also  that  received  seed  among  the  thorns  is 
he  that  heareth  the  word  ;  and  the  care  of  this  world, 
and  the  deceitfulness  of  riches,  choke  the  word,  and 
he  becometh  unfruitful. 

But  he  that  received  seed  into  the  good  ground 
is  he  that  heareth  the  word,  and  understandeth  it; 
which  also  beareth  fruit,  and  bringeth  forth,  some  a 
hundredfold,  some  sixty,  some  thirty. 

Matt.  13: 18-23. 

LXIII. 


Laws  of  Righteousness. 

Ye  shall  keep  my  sabbaths,  and  reverence  my 
sanctuary  :  I  am  the  Lord. 

Regard    not    them    that    have    familiar    spirits, 


72  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

neither  seek  after  wizards,  to  be  defiled  by  them : 
I  am  the  Lord,  your  God. 

Thou  shalt  rise  up  before  the  hoary  head,  and 
honour  the  face  of  the  old  man,  and  fear  thy  God : 
I  am  the  Lord. 

And  if  a  stranger  sojourn  with  thee  in  your  land, 
ye  shall  not  vex  him.  But  the  stranger  that  dwelleth 
with  you  shall  be  unto  you  as  one  born  among  you, 
and  thou  shalt  love  him  as  thyself;  for  ye  were 
strangers  in  the  land  of  Egypt:  I  am  the  Lord  your 
God. 

Ye  shall  do  no  unrighteousness  in  judgment,  in 
meteyard,  in  weight,  or  in  measure.  Just  balances, 
just  weights,  a  just  ephah,  and  a  just  hin,  shall  ye 
have :  I  am  the  Lord  your  God,  which  brought  you 
out  of  the  land  of  Egypt.  Therefore  shall  ye 
observe  all  my  statutes,  and  all  my  judgments,  and 
do  them  :  I  am  the  Lord.  Lev.  19: 30-37. 

These  are  the  things  that  ye  shall  do ;  Speak  ye 
every  man  the  truth  to  his  neighbour ;  execute  the 
judgment  of  truth  and  peace  in  your  gates :  and  let 
none  of  you  imagine  evil  in  your  hearts  against  his 
neighbour ;  and  love  no  false  oath :  for  all  these  are 
things  that  I  hate,  saith  the  Lord.  Zech  8:  l6.J7t 

LXIV. 


Contrasts. 

A  false  balance  is  abomination  to  the  Lord 

But  a  just  weight  is  his  delight. 

When  pride  cometh,  then  cometh  shame : 


Contrasts.  73 


But  with  the  lowly  is  wisdom. 

The  integrity  of  the  upright  shall  guide  them : 

But  the  perverseness  of  transgressors  shall   destroy 

them. 

Riches  profit  not  in  the  day  of  wrath : 
But  righteousness  delivereth  from  death. 
The  righteousness  of  the  perfect  shall  direct  his  way  ; 
But  the  wicked  shall  fall  by  his  own  wickedness. 
The  righteousness  of  the  upright  shall  deliver  them: 
But    transgressors    shall    be    taken    in    their    own 

naughtiness. 
When  a  wicked  man   dieth,  his  expectation  shall 

perish  : 

And  the  hope  of  unjust  men  perisheth. 
The  righteous  is  delivered  out  of  trouble, 
And  the  wicked  cometh  in  his  stead. 
A  hypocrite  with  his  mouth  destroy eth  his  neighbour: 
But  through  knowledge  shall  the  just  be  delivered. 
When  it  goeth  well  with  the  righteous,  the  city  re- 

joiceth : 

And  when  the  wicked  perish,  there  is  shouting. 
By  the  blessing  of  the  upright  the  city  is  exalted  : 
But  it  is  overthrown  by  the  mouth  of  the  wicked. 
He  that  is  void  of  wisdom  despiseth  his  neighbour: 
But  a  man  of  understanding  holdeth  his  peace. 
A  talebearer  revealeth  secrets  : 
But  he  that  is  of  a  faithful   spirit  concealeth  the 

matter. 

Where  no  counsel  w,  the  people  fall : 
But  in  the  multitude  of  counsellors  there  is  safety. 

Prov.  ii :  1-14. 


74  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LXV. 


Confession  and  Contrition. 

Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  lov- 
ing kindness : 

According  unto  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies 
blot  out  my  transgressions. 

Wash  me  thoroughly  from  mine  iniquity, 

And  cleanse  me  from  my  sin. 

Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God ; 

And  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me. 

Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence ; 

And  take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me. 

Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation ; 

And  uphold  me  with  thy  free  Spirit. 

Then  will  I  teach  transgressors  thy  ways  ; 

And  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 

Deliver  me  from  bloodguiltiness,  O  God,  thou  God 

of  my  salvation : 

And  my  tongue  shall  sing  aloud  of  thy  righteousness. 
O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips ; 
And  my  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy  praise. 
For  thou  desirest  not  sacrifice ;  else  would  I  give  it: 
Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt  offering. 
The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit : 
A  broken  and  a  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not 

despise.  Psalm  51: 1-2, 10-17. 


The  Source  of  Help.  75 


LXVI. 

The  Source  of  Help. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord ;  Cursed  be  the  man  that 
trusteth  in  man,  and  maketh  flesh  his  arm,  and 
whose  heart  departeth  from  the  Lord.  For  he  shall 
be  like  the  heath  in  the  desert,  and  shall  not  see 
when  good  cometh ;  but  shall  inhabit  the  parched 
places  in  the  wilderness,  in  a  salt  land  and  not 
inhabited. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and 
whose  hope  the  Lord  is.  For  he  shall  be  as  a  tree 
planted  by  the  waters,  and  that  spreadeth  out  her 
roots  by  the  river,  and  shall  not  see  when  heat  com- 
eth, but  her  leaf  shall  be  green;  and  shall  not  be 
careful  in  the  year  of  drought,  neither  shall  cease 
from  yielding  fruit. 

The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  des- 
perately wicked  :  who  can  know  it  ? 

I  the  Lord  search  the  heart,  /  try  the  reins,  even 
to  give  every  man  according  to  his  ways,  and 
according  to  the  fruit  of  his  doings. 

As  the  partridge  sitteth  on  eggs,  and  hatcheth 
them  not ;  so  he  that  getteth  riches,  and  not  by  right, 
shall  leave  them  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  and  at  his 
end  shall  be  a  fool. 

Heal  me,  O  Lord,  and  I  shall  be  healed ;  save 
me,  and  I  shall  be  saved :  for  thou  art  my  praise. 

Jer.  17:  5-n,  14. 


76  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LXVII. 


The  Call  to  Righteousness. 

And  it  came  to  pass,  as  Jesus  sat  at  meat  in  the 
house,  behold,  many  publicans  and  sinners  came  and 
sat  down  with  him  and  his  disciples. 

And  when  the  Pharisees  saw  it,  they  said  unto 
his  disciples,  Why  eateth  your  master  with  publicans 
and  sinners  ? 

But  when  Jesus  heard  that,  he  said  unto  them, 
They  that  be  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but  they 
that  are  sick.  But  go  ye  and  learn  what  that  mean- 
eth,  I  will  have  mercy,  and  not  sacrifice :  for  I  am 
not  come  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to 
repentance.  Matt.  9:10-13. 

LXVIII. 


Proverbs. 

A  soft  answer  turneth  away  wrath : 

But  grievous  words  stir  up  anger. 

The  tongue  of  the  wise  useth  knowledge  aright : 

But  the  mouth  of  fools  poureth  out  foolishness. 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place, 

Beholding  the  evil  and  the  good. 

A  wholesome  tongue  is  a  tree  of  life : 

But  perverseness  therein  is  a  breach  in  the  spirit. 

A  fool  despiseth  his  father's  instruction : 

But  he  that  regardeth  reproof  is  prudent. 


Proverbs.  77 


In  the  house  of  the  righteous  is  much  treasure : 

But  in  the  revenues  of  the  wicked  is  trouble. 

The  lips  of  the  wise  disperse  knowledge : 

But  the  heart  of  the  foolish  doeth  not  so. 

The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  to  the 

Lord: 

But  the  prayer  of  the  upright  is  his  delight. 
The  way  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  unto  the 

Lord : 

But  he  loveth   him  that  followeth  after  righteous- 
ness. 
Correction  is  grievous  unto  him  that  forsaketh  the 

way: 

And  he  that  hateth  reproof  shall  die. 
Hell  and  destruction  are  before  the  Lord : 
How  much  more  then  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 

men? 

A  scorner  loveth  not  one  that  reproveth  him : 
Neither  will  he  go  unto  the  wise. 
A  merry  heart  maketh  a  cheerful  countenance : 
But  by  sorrow  of  the  heart  the  spirit  is  broken. 
The  heart  of  him  that  hath  understanding  seeketh 

knowledge : 

But  the  mouth  of  fools    feedeth  on  foolishness. 
All  the  days  of  the  afflicted  are  evil : 
But  he  that  is  of  a  merry  heart  hath  a  continual 

feast. 

Better  is  little  with  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
Than  great  treasure  and  trouble  therewith. 

Prov.  15 :  1-16. 


78  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LXIX. 


Practical  Instruction. 


Better  is  a  dinner  of  herbs  where  love  is, 
Than  a  stalled  ox  and  hatred  therewith. 
A  wrathful  man  stirreth  up  strife : 
But  he  that  is  slow  to  anger  appeaseth  strife. 
The  way  of  the  slothful  man  is  as  a  hedge  of  thorns  : 
But  the  way  of  the  righteous  is  made  plain. 
A  wise  son  maketh  a  glad  father : 
But  a  foolish  man  despiseth  his  mother. 
Folly  is  joy  to  him  that  is  destitute  of  wisdom  : 
But  a  man  of  understanding  walketh  uprightly. 
Without  counsel  purposes  are  disappointed : 
But  in  the  multitude  of  counselors  they  are  estab- 
lished. 

A  man  hath  joy  by  the  answer  of  his  mouth : 
And  a  word  spoken  in  due  season,  how  good  is  it! 
The  way  of  life  is  above  to  the  wise, 
That  he  may  depart  from  hell  beneath. 
The  Lord  will  destroy  the  house  of  the  proud : 
But  he  will  establish  the  border  of  the  widow. 
The  thoughts  of  the  wicked  are  an  abomination  to 

the  Lord: 

But  the  words  of  the  pure  are  pleasant  words. 
He  that  is  greedy  of  gain  troubleth  his  own  house ; 
But  he  that  hateth  gifts  shall  live. 
The  heart  of  the  righteous  studieth  to  answer : 
But  the   mouth  of    the    wicked    poureth   out  evil 
things. 


Our  Best  Friend.  79 

The  light  of  the  eyes  rejoiceth  the  heart : 

And  a  good  report  maketh  the  bones  fat. 

The  ear  that  heareth  the  reproof  of  life 

Abideth  among  the  wise. 

He  that  refuseth  instruction  despiseth  his  own  soul : 

But  he  that  heareth  reproof  getteth   understanding. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  instruction  of  wisdom ; 

And  before  honour  is  humility.      Prov.  I5.  ,7.28, 30, 33. 

LXX. 


Our  Best  Friend. 


I  will  extol  thee,  my  God,  O  King ; 

And  I  will  bless  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Every  day  will  I  bless  thee ; 

And  I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised ; 

And  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 

One  generation  shall  praise  thy  works  to  another, 

And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  acts. 

I  will  speak  of  the  glorious  honour  of  thy  majesty, 

And  of  thy  wondrous  works. 

And  men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible  acts: 

And  I  will  declare  thy  greatness. 

They  shall  abundantly   utter  the    memory   of   thy 

great  goodness, 

And  shall  sing  of  thy  righteousness. 
The  Lord  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion ; 
Slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  mercy. 
The  Lord  is  good  to  all : 

And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 
All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord ; 


8o  Readings  front  the  Bible. 

And  thy  saints  shall  bless  thee. 

They  shall  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 

And  talk  of  thy  power ; 

To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  his  mighty  acts, 

And  the  glorious  majesty  of  his  kingdom. 

Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 

And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  genera- 
tions. 

The  Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall, 

And  raiseth  up  all  those  that  be  bowed  down. 

The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee ; 

And  thou  givest  them  their  meat  in  due  season. 

Thou  openest  thine  hand, 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing. 

The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways, 

And  holy  in  all  his  works. 

The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call  upon  him, 

To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth. 

He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him : 

He  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  will  save  them. 

The  Lord  preserveth  all  them  that  love  him : 

But  all  the  wicked  will  he  destroy. 

My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord : 

And  let  all  flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and 
ever.  psaim  145. 

LXXI. 


Faithfulness. 

THE    STORY    OF    RUTH 1. 

Now  it  came  to   pass   in  the    days    when    the 
judges  ruled,  that  there  was  a  famine  in  the   land. 


The  Story  of  Ruth.  81 

And  a  certain  man  of  Beth-lehem-judah  went  to 
sojourn  in  the  country  of  Moab,  he,  and  his  wife, 
and  his  two  sons.  And  the  name  of  the  man  was 
Elimelech,  and  the  name  of  his  wife  Naomi,  and  the 
name  of  his  two  sons  Mahlon  and  Chilion,  Ephra- 
thites  of  Beth-lehem-judah.  Ana  they  came  into 
the  country  of  Moab,  and  continued  there. 

And  Elimelech  Naomi's  husband  died ;  and  she 
was  left,  and  her  two  sons.  And  they  took  them 
wives  of  the  women  of  Moab ;  the  name  of  the  one 
was  Orpah,  and  the  name  of  the  other  Ruth :  and 
they  dwelt  there  about  ten  years.  And  Mahlon 
and  Chilion  died  also  both  of  them  ;  and  the  woman 
was  left  of  her  two  sons  and  her  husband. 

Then  she  arose  with  her  daughters  in  law,  that 
she  might  return  from  the  country  of  Moab:  for 
she  had  heard  in  the  country  of  Moab  how  that  the 
Lord  had  visited  his  people  in  giving  them  bread. 
Wherefore  she  went  forth  out  of  the  place  where 
she  was,  and  her  two  daughters  in  law  with  her ;  and 
they  went  on  the  way  to  return  unto  the  land  of 
Judah. 

And  Naomi  said  unto  her  two  daughters  in  law, 
Go,  return  each  to  her  mother's  house:  the  Lord 
deal  kindly  with  you,  as  ye  have  dealt  with  the 
dead,  and  with  me.  The  Lord  grant  you  that  ye 
may  find  rest,  each  of  you  in  the  house  of  her  hus- 
band. Then  she  kissed  them ;  and  they  lifted  up 
their  voice  and  wept.  And  they  said  unto  her, 
Surely  we  will  return  with  thee  unto  thy  people. 

And  Naomi  said,  Turn  again,  my  daughters  : 
why  will  ye  go  with  me  ?  And  Orpah  kissed  her 
mother  in  law  ;  but  Ruth  clave  unto  her.  And  she 


82  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

said,  Behold,  thy  sister  in  law  is  gone  back  unto  her 
people,  and  unto  her  gods  :  return  thou  after  thy 
sister  in  law.  And  Ruth  said,  Entreat  me  not  to 
leave  thee,  or  to  return  from  following  after  thee: 
for  whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go;  and  where  thou 
lodgest,  I  will  lodge  :  thy  people  shall  be  my  people, 
and  thy  God  my  God :  Where  thou  diest,  will  I  die, 
and  there  will  I  be  buried :  the  Lord  do  so  to  me, 
and  more  also,  if  aught  but  death  part  thee  and  me. 
When  she  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to 
go  with  her,  then  she  left  speaking  unto  her. 

Ruth  i:  i -ix,  14-18. 

LXXII. 


Faithfulness. 

THE  STORY  OF  RUTH. II. 

So  Naomi  returned,  and  Ruth  the  Moabitess,  her 
daughter  in  law,  with  her,  which  returned  out  of  the 
country  of  Moab :  and  they  came  to  Beth-lehem  in 
the  beginning  of  barley  harvest. 

And  Naomi  had  a  kinsman  of  her  husband's,  a 
mighty  man  of  wealth,  of  the  family  of  Elimelech ; 
and  his  name  was  Boaz.  And  Ruth  the  Moabitess 
said  unto  Naomi,  Let  me  now  go  to  the  field,  and 
glean  ears  of  corn  after  him  in  whose  sight  I  shall 
find  grace.  And  she  said  unto  her,  Go,  my  daugh- 
ter. And  she  went,  and  came,  and  gleaned  in  the 
field  after  the  reapers :  and  her  hap  was  to  light  on 
a  part  of  the  field  belonging  unto  Boaz,  who  was  of 
the  kindred  of  Elimelech. 

And,  behold,  Boaz  came  from  Beth-lehem,  and 


Faithfulness.  83 


said  unto  the  reapers,  The  Lord  be  with  you.  And 
they  answered  him,  The  Lord  bless  thee.  Then  said 
Boaz  unto  his  servant  that  was  set  over  the  reapers, 
Whose  damsel  is  this  ?  And  the  servant  that  was 
set  over  the  reapers  answered  and  said,  It  is  the 
Moabitish  damsel  that  came  back  with  Naomi  out 
of  the  country  of  Moab :  and  she  said,  I  pray  you, 
let  me  glean  and  gather  after  the  reapers  among  the 
sheaves  :  so  she  came,  and  hath  continued  even  from 
the  morning  until  now,  that  she  tarried  a  little  in 
the  house.  Then  said  Boaz  unto  Ruth,  Hearest  thou 
not,  my  daughter  ?  Go  not  to  glean  in  another  field, 
neither  go  from  hence,  but  abide  here  fast  by  my 
maidens. 

Then  she  fell  on  her  face,  and  bowed  herself  to 
the  ground,  and  said  unto  him,  Why  have  I  found 
grace  in  thine  eyes,  that  thou  shouldest  take  knowl- 
edge of  me,  seeing  I  am  a  stranger  ?  And  Boaz 
answered  and  said  unto  her,  It  hath  fully  been 
shewed  me,  all  that  thou  hast  done  unto  thy  mother 
in  law  since  the  death  of  thine  husband ;  and  how 
thou  hast  left  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  and  the 
land  of  thy  nativity,  and  art  come  unto  a  people 
which  thou  knewest  not  heretofore.  The  Lord 
recompense  thy  work,  and  a  full  reward  be  given 
thee  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  under  whose  wings 
thou  art  come  to  trust.  Ruth  I:22)  2:,.8f  I0.J2. 

I  will  say  of  the  Lord,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my 
fortress,  my  God ;  in  Him  will  I  trust. 

Psalm  QI  :2. 


84  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


LXXIII. 

The  Omnipotence  and  Omnipresence  of  God. 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  searched  me,  and  known  me. 

Thou  knowest  my  downsitting  and  mine  uprising ; 

Thou  understandest  my  thought  afar  off. 

Thou  compassest  my  path  and  my  lying  down, 

And  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways. 

For  there  is  not  a  word  in  my  tongue, 

But,  lo,  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  it  altogether. 

Thou  hast  beset  me  behind  and  before, 

And  laid  thine  hand  upon  me. 

Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me ; 

It  is  high,  I  cannot  attain  unto  it. 

Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  Spirit  ? 

Or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ? 

If  I  ascend  up  into  heaven,  thou  art  there ; 

If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold,  thou  art  there. 

If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning, 

And  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea  ; 

Even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me, 

And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me. 

If  I  say,  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me ; 

Even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee ; 

But  the  night  shineth  as  the  day : 

The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee. 

Psalm  139:  1-12. 


Secret  Prayer.  85 


LXXIV. 


The  Two  Houses. 


Whosoever  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 
doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him  unto  a  wise  man,  which 
built  his  house  upon  a  rock :  and  the  rain  descended, 
and  the  floods  came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat 
upon  that  house ;  and  it  fell  not :  for  it  was  founded 
upon  a  rock. 

And  every  one  that  heareth  these  sayings  of 
mine,  and  doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened  unto  a 
foolish  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  the  sand : 
and  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods  came,  and 
the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house ;  and  it 
fell :  and  great  was  the  fall  of  it. 

Matt.  7:  24-27. 

LXXV. 


Secret  Prayer. 

And  when  thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  be  as  the 
hypocrites  are:  for  they  love  to  pray  standing  in 
the  synagogues  and  in  the  corners  of  the  streets, 
that  they  may  be  seen  of  men.  Verily  I  say  unto 
you,  They  have  their  reward.  But  thou,  when  thou 
prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet,  and  when  thou  hast 
shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret  ; 
and  thy  Father  which  seeth  in  secret  shall  reward 
thee  openly. 

But  when  ye  pray,  use  not  vain  repetitions,  as 
the  heathen  do:  for  they  think  that  they  shall  be 
heard  for  their  much  speaking.  Be  not  ye  there- 


86  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


fore  like  unto  them :  for  your  Father  knoweth  what 
things  ye  have  need  of,  before  ye  ask  him. 

Matt  6:  S-8. 

LXXVI. 


The  Providence  of  God. 

The  counsel  of  the  Lord  standeth  forever, 
The  thoughts  of  his  heart  to  all  generations. 
Blessed  is  the  nation  whose  God  is  the  Lord ; 
And  the  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  own 

inheritance. 

The  Lord  looketh  from  heaven; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  sons  of  men. 
From  the  place  of  his  habitation 
He  looketh  upon  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth. 
He  fashioneth  their  hearts  alike ; 
He  considereth  all  their  works. 

There  is  no  king  saved  by  the  multitude  of  a  host : 
A  mighty  man  is  not  delivered  by  much  strength. 
A  horse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety: 
Neither  shall  he  deliver  any  by  his  great  strength. 
Behold,  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them  that  fear 

him, 

Upon  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy; 
To  deliver  their  soul  from  death, 
And  to  keep  them  alive  in  famine. 
Our  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord : 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 
For  our  heart  shall  rejoice  in  him, 
Because  we  have  trusted  in  his  holy  name. 
Let  thy  mercy,  O  Lord,  be  upon  us, 
According  as  we  hope  in  thee.  Psahn  33. 


The  Mines.  87 


LXXVII. 
Eager  Longings. 

As  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water  brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God. 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God : 
When  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  God  ? 

Yet  the  Lord  will  command  his  loving-kindness  in 
the  daytime, 

And  in  the  night  his  song  shall  be  with  me, 

And  my  prayer  unto  the  God  of  my  life. 

I  will  say  unto  God  my  rock,  Why  hast  thou  for- 
gotten me  ? 

Why  go  I  mourning  because  of  the  oppression  of 
the  enemy  ? 

As  with  a  sword  in  my  bones,  mine  enemies  reproach 
me; 

While  they  say  daily  unto  me,  Where  is  thy  God  ? 

Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ? 

And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 

Hope  thou  in  God :  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 

Who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God. 

Psalm  42:  x-2, 8-u. 

LXXVIII. 


The  Mines. 

Surely  there  is  a  vein  for  the  silver, 
And  a  place  for  gold  where  they  fine  it. 
Iron  is  taken  out  of  the  earth, 
And  brass  is  molten  out  0/the  stone. 
He  setteth  an  end  to  darkness, 


88  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

And  searcheth  out  all  perfection  : 

The  stones  of  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of  death. 

The  flood  breaketh  out  from  the  inhabitant ; 

Even  the  waters  forgotten  of  the  foot : 

They  are  dried  up,  they  are  gone  away  from  men. 

As  for  the  earth,  out  of  it  cometh  bread: 

And  under  it  is  turned  up  as  it  were  fire. 

The  stones  of  it  are  the  place  of  sapphires : 

And  it  hath  dust  of  gold. 

There  is  a  path  which  no  fowl  knoweth, 

And  which  the  vulture's  eye  hath  not  seen  : 

The  lion's  whelps  have  not  trodden  it, 

Nor  the  fierce  lion  passed  by  it. 

He  putteth  forth  his  hand  upon  the  rock  ; 

He  overturneth  the  mountains  by  the  roots. 

He  cutteth  out  rivers  among  the  rocks ; 

And  his  eye  seeth  every  precious  thing. 

He  bindeth  the  floods  from  overflowing ; 

And  the  thing  that  is  hid  bringeth  he  forth  to  light. 

Job  28:1-11. 

LXXIX. 

The  Value  of  Wisdom. 

But  where  shall  wisdom  be  found  ? 

And  where  is  the  place  of  understanding? 

Man  knoweth  not  the  price  thereof; 

Neither  is  it  found  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

The  depth  saith,  It  is  not  in  me  : 

And  the  sea  saith,  //  is  not  with  me. 

It  cannot  be  gotten  for  gold, 

Neither  shall  silver  be  weighed  for  the  price  thereof. 

It  cannot  be  valued  with  the  gold  of  Ophir, 

With  the  precious  onyx,  or  the  sapphire. 


A  Call  to  All  in  Need.  89 

The  gold  and  the  crystal  cannot  equal  it. 

And  the  exchange  of  it  shall  nofbe  for  jewels  of  fine 

gold. 

No  mention  shall  be  made  of  coral,  or  of  pearls  : 
For  the  price  of  wisdom  is  above  rubies. 
The  topaz  of  Ethiopia  shall  not  equal  it; 
Neither  shall  it  be  valued  with  pure  gold. 
Whence  then  cometh  wisdom? 
And  where  is  the  place  of  understanding  ? 
Seeing  it  is  hid  from  the  eyes  of  all  living, 
And  kept  close  from  the  fowls  of  the  air. 
Destruction  and  death  say, 

We  have  heard  the  fame  thereof  with  our  ears. 
God  understandeth  the  way  thereof, 
And  he  knoweth  the  place  thereof. 
For  he  looketh  to  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
And  seeth  under  the  whole  heaven ; 
To  make  the  weight  for  the  winds  ; 
And  he  weigheth  the  waters  by  measure. 
When  he  made  a  decree  for  the  rain, 
And  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  the  thunder; 
Then  did  he  see  it,  and  declare  it ; 
He  prepared  it,  yea,  and  searched  it  out. 
And  unto  man  he  said, 

Behold,  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that  is  wisdom  ; 
And  to  depart  from  evil  is  understanding.    job  28:12-28. 

LXXX. 


A   Call  to  All  in  Need. 


Ho,  every   one    that  thirsteth,   come  ye  to   the 
waters,  and  he  that  hath  no  money  ;  come  ye,  buy, 


90  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

and  eat ;  yea,    come,  buy    wine    and    milk   without 
money  and  without*  price. 

Wherefore  do  ye  spend  money  for  that  which  is 
not  bread  ?  and  your  labour  for  that  which  satisfieth 
not?  hearken  diligently  unto  me,  and  eat  ye  that 
which  is  good,  and  let  your  soul  delight  itself  in 
fatness. 

Incline  your  ear,  and  come  unto  me:  hear,  and 
your  soul  shall  live ;  and  I  will  make  an  everlasting 
covenant  with  you,  even  the  sure  mercies  of  David. 

Behold,  I  have  given  him  for  a  witness  to  the 
people,  a  leader  and  commander  to  the  people. 

Behold,  thou  shalt  call  a  nation  that  thou  know- 
est  not,  and  nations  that  knew  not  thee  shall  run 
unto  thee,  because  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  for  the 
Holy  One  of  Israel;  for  he  hath  glorified  thee. 

Seek  ye  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  call  ye 
upon  him  while  he  is  near :  let  the  wicked  forsake 
his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his  thoughts  :  and 
let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy 
upon  him ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly 
pardon. 

For  my  thoughts  are  not  your  thoughts,  neither 
are  your  ways  my  ways,  saith  the  Lord.  For  as 
the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  are  my 
ways  higher  than  your  ways,  and  my  thoughts  than 
your  thoughts. 

For  as  the  rain  cometh  down,  and  the  snow  from 
heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither,  but  watereth 
the  earth,  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and  bud,  that 
it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower,  and  bread  to  the 
eater :  So  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out 
of  my  mouth :  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 


Alms  Giving.  91 


it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall 
prosper  in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it. 

For  ye  shall  go  out  with  joy,  and  be  led  forth 
with  peace  :  the  mountains  and  the  hills  shall  break 
forth  before  you  into  singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the 
field  shall  clap  their  hands.  Instead  of  the  thorn 
shall  come  up  the  fir  tree,  and  instead  of  the  brier 
shall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree:  and  it  shall  be  to  the 
Lord  for  a  name,  for  an  everlasting  sign  that  shall 
not  be  cut  off.  Isaiah  55. 

LXXXI. 


A  Glad  Mission. 


The  spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  me ;  because 
the  Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings 
unto  the  meek ;  he  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the 
brokenhearted,  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives, 
and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound ; 
to  proclaim  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God ;  to  comfort  all 
that  mourn.  Isaiah  61:1-2. 

LXXXII. 


Alms  Giving. 

Take  heed  that  ye  do  not  your  alms  before  men, 
to  be  seen  of  them :  otherwise  ye  have  no  reward  of 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 

Therefore  when  thou  doest  thine  alms,  do  not 
sound  a  trumpet  before  thee,  as  the  hypocrites  do  in 
the  synagogues  and  in  the  streets,  that  they  may 


92  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

have  glory  of  men.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  They 
have  their  reward.  But  when  thou  doest  alms,  let 
not  thy  left  hand  know  what  thy  right  hand  doeth : 
that  thine  alms  may  be  in  secret :  and  thy  Father 
which  seeth  in  secret  himself  shall  reward  thee 
openly.  Matt.  6:1-4. 

LXXXIII. 


The  Good  Samaritan. 


And,  behold,  a  certain  lawyer  stood  up,  and 
tempted  him,  saying,  Master,  what  shall  I  do  to 
inherit  eternal  life  ? 

He  said  unto  him,  What  is  written  in  the  law? 
how  readest  thou  ? 

And  he  answering  said,  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord 
thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul, 
and  with  all  thy  strength,  and  with  all  thy  mind; 
and  thy  neighbour  as  thyself. 

And  he  said  unto  him,  thou  hast  answered  right : 
this  do,  and  thou  shalt  live. 

But  he,  willing  to  justify  himself,  said  unto  Jesus, 
And  who  is  my  neighbour  ? 

And  Jesus  answering  said,  A  certain  man  went 
down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho,  and  fell  among 
thieves,  which  stripped  him  of  his  raiment,  and 
wounded  him,  and  departed,  leaving  him  half  dead. 
And  by  chance  there  came  down  a  certain  priest 
that  way ;  and  when  he  saw  him,  he  passed  by  on 
the  other  side.  And  likewise  a  Levite,  when  he  was 
at  the  place,  came  and  looked  on  him,  and  passed  by 
on  the  other  side.  But  a  certain  Samaritan,  as  he 
journeyed,  came  where  he  was ;  and  when  he  saw 


Our  Father's  Mercy.  93 

him,  he  had  compassion  on  him,  and  went  to  him, 
and  bound  up  his  wounds,  pouring  in  oil  and  wine, 
and  set  him  on  his  own  beast,  and  brought  him  to 
an  inn,  and  took  care  of  him.  And  on  the  morrow 
when  he  departed,  he  took  out  two  pence,  and  gave 
them  to  the  host,  and  said  unto  him,  Take  care  of 
him :  and  whatsoever  thou  spendest  more,  when  I 
come  again,  I  will  repay  thee. 

Which  now  of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was 
neighbour  unto  him  that  fell  among  the  thieves  ? 

And  he  said,  He  that  shewed  mercy  on  him. 
Then  said  Jesus  unto  him,  Go,  and  do  thou  likewise. 

Luke  10 : 25-37. 

LXXXIV. 


Our  Father  s  Mercy. 

The  Lord  is  merciful  and  gracious, 

Slow  to  anger,  and  plenteous  in  mercy. 

He  will  not  always  chide : 

Neither  will  he  keep  his  anger  for  ever. 

He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins ; 

Nor  rewarded  us  according  to  our  iniquities. 

For  as  the  heaven  is  high  above  the  earth, 

So  great  is  his  mercy  toward  them  that  fear  him. 

As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west, 

So  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children, 

So  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

For  he  knoweth  our  frame ; 

He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. 

As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass : 


94  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

As  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 
For  the  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone ; 
And  the  place  thereof  shall  know  it  no  more. 
But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to 

everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him, 
And  his  righteousness  unto  children's  children ; 
To  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 
And  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to 

do  them. 

The  Lord  hath  prepared  his  throne    in  the  heavens; 
And  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 
Bless  the  Lord,  ye  his  angels,  that  excel  in  strength, 
That  do  his  commandments,   hearkening  unto   the 

voice  of  his  word. 
Bless  ye  the  Lord,  a\\  ye  his  hosts; 
Ye  ministers  of  his,  that  do  his  pleasure. 
Bless  the  Lord,  all  his  works  in  all  places  of  his 

dominion: 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul.  Psalm  I03:8.22. 

LXXXV. 


Samuel's  Integrity 

And  Samuel  said  unto  all  Israel,  Behold,  I  have 
hearkened  unto  your  voice  in  all  that  ye  said  unto 
me,  and  have  made  a  king  over  you.  And  now, 
behold,  the  king  walketh  before  you :  and  I  am  old 
and  grayheaded  ;  and,  behold,  my  sons  are  with  you  : 
and  I  have  walked  before  you  from  my  childhood 
unto  this  day.  Behold,  here  I  am:  witness  against 
me  before  the  LORD,  and  before  his  anointed :  whose 
ox  have  I  taken  ?  or  whose  ass  have  I  taken  ?  or 
whom  have  I  defrauded  ?  whom  have  I  oppressed  ? 


Personal  Responsibility.  95 

or  of  whose  hand  have  I  received  any  bribe  to  blind 
mine  eyes  therewith  ?  and  I  will  restore  it  you. 

And  they  said,  Thou  hast  not  defrauded  us,  nor 
oppressed  us,  neither  hast  thou  taken  aught  of  any 
man's  hand.  And  he  said  unto  them,  The  LORD  is 
witness  against  you,  and  his  anointed  is  witness  this 
day,  that  ye  have  not  found  aught  in  my  hand. 
And  they  answered,  He  is  witness. 

Moreover  as  for  me,  God  forbid  that  I  should  sin 
against  the  LORD  in  ceasing  to  pray  for  you :  but  I 
will  teach  you  the  good  and  the  right  way :  Only 
fear  the  LORD,  and  serve  him  in  truth  with  all  your 
heart :  for  consider  how  great  things  he  hath  done 
for  you.  ,  Sam>  I2:  ,.5>  23f  24. 

LXXXVI. 


Personal  Responsibility. 

When  the  son  hath  done  that  which  is  lawful  and 
right,  and  hath  kept  all  my  statutes,  and  hath  done 
them,  he  shall  surely  live.  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it 
shall  die.  The  son  shall  not  bear  the  iniquity  of  the 
father,  neither  shall  the  father  bear  the  iniquity  of 
the  son :  the  righteousness  of  the  righteous  shall  be 
upon  him,  and  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  shall 
be  upon  him. 

But  if  the  wicked  will  turn  from  all  his  sins  that 
he  hath  committed,  and  keep  all  my  statutes,  and  do 
that  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  surely  live, 
he  shall  not  die.  All  his  transgressions  that  he  hath 
committed,  they  shall  not  be  mentioned  unto  him: 
in  his  righteousness  that  he  hath  done  he  shall  live. 


96  Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Have  I  any  pleasure  at  all  that  the  wicked  should 
die  ?  saith  the  Lord  God :  and  not  that  he  should 
return  from  his  ways,  and  live  ? 

But  when  the  righteous  turneth  away  from  his 
righteousness  and  committeth  iniquity,  and  doeth 
according  to  all  the  abominations  that  the  wicked 
man  doeth,  shall  he  live  ?  All  his  righteousness 
that  he  hath  done  shall  not  be  mentioned :  in  his 
trespass  that  he  hath  trespassed,  and  in  his  sin  that 
he  hath  sinned,  in  them  shall  he  die. 

Yet  ye  say,  The  way  of  the  Lord  is  not  equal. 
Hear  now,  O  house  of  Israel ;  is  not  my  way  equal  ? 
are  not  your  ways  unequal  ? 

When  a  righteous  man  turneth  away  from  his 
righteousness,  and  committeth  iniquity,  and  dieth 
in  them ;  for  his  iniquity  that  he  hath  done  shall  he 
die.  Again,  when  the  wicked  man  turneth  away 
from  his  wickedness  that  he  hath  committed,  and 
doeth  that  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  save 
his  soul  alive.  Because  he  considereth,  and  turneth 
away  from  all  his  transgressions  that  he  hath  com- 
mitted, he  shall  surely  live,  he  shall  not  die. 

Repent,  and  turn  yourselves  from  all  your  trans- 
gressions ;  so  iniquity  shall  not  be  your  ruin.  Cast 
away  from  you  all  your  transgressions,  whereby  ye 
have  transgressed ;  and  make  you  a  new  heart  and 
a  new  spirit :  for  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel  ? 
For  I  have  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  him  that 
dieth,  saith  the  Lord  God  :  wherefore  turn  yourselves, 
and  live  ye.  Ezek.  l8: 19.28, 30-32. 


The  Divine  Ruler.  97 


LXXXVII. 


The  Divine  Ruler. 


Give  the  king  thy  judgments,  O  God. 

And  thy  righteousness  unto  the  king's  son. 

He  shall  judge  thy  people  with  righteousness, 

And  thy  poor  with  judgment. 

The  mountains  shall  bring  peace  to  the  people, 

And  the  little  hills,  by  righteousness. 

He  shall  judge  the  poor  of  the  people, 

He  shall  save  the  children  of  the  needy, 

And  shall  break  in  pieces  the  oppressor. 

They  shall  fear  thee  as  long  as  the  sun  and   moon 

endure, 

Throughout  all  generations. 

He  shall  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass: 
As  showers  that  water  the  earth. 
In  his  days  shall  the  righteous  flourish  ; 
And  abundance  of  peace  so  long  as  the  moon  en- 

dureth. 

He  shall  have  dominion  also  from  sea  to  sea, 
And  from  the  river  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
They  that  dwell  in  the  wilderness  shall  bow  before 

him ; 

And  his  enemies  shall  lick  the  dust. 
The  kings  of  Tarshish  and  of  the  isles  shall  bring 

presents : 

The  Kings  of  Sheba  and  Seba  shall  offer  gifts. 
Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before  him : 
All  nations  shall  serve  him. 
For  he  shall  deliver  the  needy  when  he  crieth  ; 


98  Readings  from  the  Bible. 


The  poor  also,  and  him  that  hath  no  helper. 

He  shall  spare  the  poor  and  needy, 

And  shall  save  the  souls  of  the  needy. 

He  shall  redeem  their  soul  from  deceit  and  violence: 

And  precious  shall  their  blood  be  in  his  sight, 

Psalm  72:  1-14. 

LXXXVIII. 


Fidelity  Rewarded. 

For  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  as  a  man  traveling 
into  a  far  country,  who  called  his  own  servants,  and 
delivered  unto  them  his  goods.  And  unto  one  he 
gave  five  talents,  to  another  two,  and  to  another  one; 
to  every  man  according  to  his  several  ability  ;  and 
straightway  took  his  journey. 

Then  he  that  had  received  the  five  talents  went 
and  traded  with  the  same,  and  made  them  other  five 
talents.  And  likewise  he  that  had  received  two,  he 
also  gained  other  two.  But  he  that  had  received 
one  went  and  digged  in  the  earth,  and  hid  his  lord's 
money. 

After  a  long  time  the  lord  of  those  servants 
cometh,  and  reckoneth  with  them. 

And  so  he  that  had  received  five  talents  came 
and  brought  other  five  talents,  saying,  Lord,  thou 
deliveredst  unto  me  five  talents  :  behold,  I  have 
gained  beside  them  five  talents  more.  His  lord  said 
unto  him,  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  servant: 
thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make 
thee  ruler  over  many  things :  enter  thou  into  the 
joy  of  thy  lord. 


A  Song  of  Courage  and  Triumph.    99 


He  also  that  had  received  two  talents  came  and 
said,  Lord,  thou  deliveredst  unto  me  two  talents  : 
behold,  I  have  gained  two  other  talents  beside  them. 
His  lord  said  unto  him,  Well  done,  good  and  faith- 
ful servant;  thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few 
things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many  things  : 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  lord. 

Then  he  which  had  received  the  one  talent  came 
and  said,  Lord,  I  knew  thee  that  thou  art  a  hard 
man,  reaping  where  thou  hast  not  sown,  and 
gathering  where  thou  hast  not  strewed:  And  I  was 
afraid,  and  went  and  hid  thy  talent  in  the  earth: 
lo,  there  thou  hast  that  is  thine. 

His  lord  answered  and  said  unto  him,  Thou 
wicked  and  slothful  servant,  thou  knewest  that  I 
reap  where  I  sowed  not,  and  gather  where  I  have 
not  strewed :  thou  oughtest  therefore  to  have  put 
my  money  to  the  exchangers,  and  then  at  my 
coming  I  should  have  received  mine  own  with 
usury.  Take  therefore  the  talent  from  him,  and 
give  it  unto  him  which  hath  ten  talents.  For  unto 
every  one  that  hath  shall  be  given,  and  he  shall  have 
abundance:  but  from  him  that  hath  not  shall  be 
taken  away  even  that  which  he  hath.  And  cast  ye 
the  unprofitable  servant  into  outer  darkness  :  there 
shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

Matt.  25:  14-20. 

LXXXIX. 


A  Song"  of  Courage  and  Triumph. 

The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation ; 
Whom  shall  I  fear  ? 


ioo         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

The  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  Life ; 

Of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid  ? 

When  the  wicked,  even  mine  enemies  and  my  foes, 

came  upon  me  to  eat  up  my  flesh, 
They  stumbled  and  fell. 
Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me, 
My  heart  shall  not  fear ; 
Though  war  should  rise  against  me, 
In  this  will  I  be  confident. 
One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord, 
That  will  I  seek  after ; 
That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the 

days  of  my  life, 

To  behold  the  beauty  of  the  Lord, 
And  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 
For  in  the  time  of  trouble  he  shall  hide  me  in  his 

pavilion : 

In  the  secret  of  his  tabernacle  shall  he  hide  me ; 
He  shall  set  me  up  upon  a  rock. 
And  now  shall  mine  head  be  lifted  up  above  mine 

enemies  round  about  me ; 

Therefore  will  I  offer  in  his  tabernacle  sacrifices  of  joy ; 
I  will  sing,  yea,  I  will  sing  praises  unto  the  Lord. 

Psalm  27: 1-6. 

xc. 


A  Supplication. 

Hear,  O  Lord,  when  I  cry  with  my  voice : 

Have  mercy  also  upon  me,  and  answer  me. 

When  thou  saidst,  Seek  ye  my  face ; 

My  heart  said  unto  thee,  Thy  face,  Lord,  will  I  seek, 

Hide  not  thy  face  far  from  me; 


Prosperity  the  Reward  of  Obedience.  101 

Put  not  thy  servant  away  in  anger : 

Thou  hast  been  my  help ;  leave  me  not, 

Neither  forsake  me,  O  God  of  my  salvation. 

When  my  father  and  my  mother  forsake  me, 

Then  the  Lord  will  take  me  up. 

Teach  me  thy  way,  O  Lord, 

And  lead  me  in  a  plain  path,  because  of  mine  enemies. 

Deliver  me  not  over  unto  the  will  of  mine  enemies : 

For  false  witnesses  are  risen  up  against  me, 

And  such  as  breathe  out  cruelty.  Psalm  27: 7_I2 

XCI. 


Prosperity  the  Reward  of  Obedience. 


And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  if  ye  shall  hearken 
diligently  unto  my  commandments  which  I  com- 
mand you  this  day,  to  love  the  LORD  your  God, 
and  to  serve  him  with  all  your  heart  and  with  all 
your  soul,  that  I  will  give  you  the  rain  of  your  land 
in  his  due  season,  the  first  rain  and  the  latter  rain, 
that  thou  mayest  gather  in  thy  corn,  and  thy  wine, 
and  thine  oil.  And  I  will  send  grass  in  thy  fields 
for  thy  cattle,  that  thou  mayest  eat  and  be  full. 
Take  heed  to  yourselves,  that  your  heart  be  not 
deceived,  and  ye  turn  aside,  and  serve  other  gods, 
and  worship  them ;  and  then  the  LORD'S  wrath  be 
kindled  against  you,  and  he  shut  up  the  heaven,  that 
there  be  no  rain,  and  that  the  land  yield  not  her 
fruit ;  and  lest  ye  perish  quickly  from  off  the  good 
land  which  the  LORD  giveth  you.  Therefore  shall 
ye  lay  up  these  my  words  in  your  heart  and  in  your 


102          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

soul,  and  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon  your  hand,  that 
they  may  be  as  frontlets  between  your  eyes. 

And  ye  shall  teach  them  your  children,  speaking 
of  them  when  thou  sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when 
thou  walkest  by  the  way,  when  thou  liest  down,  and 
when  thou  risest  up.  And  thou  shalt  write  them 
upon  the  door  posts  of  thine  house,  and  upon  thy 
gates :  That  your  days  may  be  multiplied,  and  the 
days  of  your  children,  in  the  land  which  the  LORD 
sware  unto  your  fathers  to  give  them,  as  the  days  of 
heaven  upon  the  earth.  For  if  ye  shall  diligently 
keep  all  these  commandments  which  I  command 
you,  to  do  them,  to  love  the  LORD  your  God,  to  walk 
in  all  his  ways,  and  to  cleave  unto  him :  Then  will 
the  LORD  drive  out  all  these  nations  from  before 
you,  and  ye  shall  possess  greater  nations  and 
mightier  than  yourselves.  Deutf  „.  ,3.23. 

XCII. 


The  Two  Brothers. 


Abel  was  a  keeper  of  sheep,  but  Cain  was  a  tiller 
of  the  ground. 

And  in  process  of  time  it  came  to  pass,  that 
Cain  brought  of  the  fruit  of  the  ground  an  offering 
unto  the  Lord,  and  Abel,  he  also  brought  of  the 
firstlings  of  his  flock  and  of  the  fat  thereof.  And 
the  Lord  had  respect  unto  Abel  and  to  his  offering  : 
But  unto  Cain  and  to  his  offering  he  had  not 
respect.  And  Cain  was  very  wroth,  and  his  coun- 
tenance fell. 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  Why  art  thou 
wroth?  and  why  is  thy  countenance  fallen?  If  thou 


Cause  of  National  Calamity.       103 

doest  well,  shalt  thou  not  be  accepted?  and  if  thou 
doest  not  well,  sin  lieth  at  the  door  :  and  unto  thee 
shall  be  his  desire,  and  thou  shalt  rule  over  him. 

And  Cain  talked  with  Abel  his  brother  :  and  it 
came  to  pass,  when  they  were  in  the  field,  that  Cain 
rose  up  against  Abel,  his  brother,  and  slew  him. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  Where  is  Abel  thy 
brother?  And  he  said,  I  know  not :  Am  I  my 
brother's  keeper? 

And  he  said,  What  hast  thou  done?  the  voice  of 
thy  brother's  blood  crieth  unto  me  from  the  ground. 
And  now  art  thou  cursed  from  the  earth,  which 
hath  opened  her  mouth  to  receive  thy  brother's 
blood  from  thy  hand.  When  thou  tillest  the 
ground,  it  shall  not  henceforth  yield  unto  thee  her 
strength  ;  a  fugitive  and  a  vagabond  shalt  thou  be 
in  the  earth.  Gen.  4:2-12. 

XCIII. 


Cause  of  National  Calamity. 

Hear  now  this,  O  foolish  people,  and  without 
understanding ;  which  have  eyes,  and  see  not ;  which 
have  ears,  and  hear  not : 

Fear  ye  not  me  ?  saith  the  Lord :  will  ye  not 
tremble  at  my  presence,  which  have  placed  the  sand 
for  the  bound  of  the  sea  by  a  perpetual  decree,  that 
it  cannot  pass  it :  and  though  the  waves  thereof  toss 
themselves,  yet  can  they  not  prevail ;  though  they 
roar,  yet  can  they  not  pass  over  it  ? 

But  this  people  hath  a  revolting  and  a  rebellious 
heart ;  they  are  revolted  and  gone. 


J04          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Neither  say  they  in  their  heart,  Let  us  now  fear 
the  Lord  our  God,  that  giveth  rain,  both  the  former 
and  the  latter,  in  his  season :  he  reserveth  unto  us 
the  appointed  weeks  of  the  harvest. 

Your  iniquities  have  turned  away  these  things,  and 
your  sins  have  withholden  good  things  from  you. 

For  among  my  people  are  found  wicked  men: 
they  lay  wait,  as  he  that  setteth  snares ;  they  set  a 
trap,  they  catch  men. 

As  a  cage  is  full  of  birds,  so  are  their  houses  full 
of  deceit:  therefore  they  are  become  great,  and 
waxen  rich. 

They  are  waxen  fat,  they  shine :  yea,  they  over- 
pass the  deeds  of  the  wicked :  they  judge  not  the 
cause,  the  cause  of  the  fatherless,  yet  they  prosper ; 
and  the  right  of  the  needy  do  they  not  judge. 

Shall  I  not  visit  for  these  things?  saith  the  Lord : 
shall  not  my  soul  be  avenged  on  such  a  nation  as 
this? 

A  wonderful  and  horrible  thing  is  committed  in 
the  land ; 

The  prophets  prophesy  falsely,  and  the  priests 
bear  rule  by  their  means  ;  and  my  people  love  to  have 
it  so :  and  what  will  ye  do  in  the  end  thereof  ? 

Jer.5:2i-3i. 

XCIV. 


Works  of  Iniquity. 

Behold,  the  Lord's  hand  is  not  shortened,  that  it 
cannot  save ;  neither  his  ear  heavy,  that  it  cannot 
hear :  but  your  iniquities  have  separated  between 
you  and  your  God,  and  your  sins  have  hid  his  face 


Works  of  Iniquity.  105 

from  you,  that  he  will  not  hear.  For  your  hands  are 
defiled  with  blood,  and  your  fingers  with  iniquity; 
your  lips  have  spoken  lies,  your  tongue  hath  mut- 
tered perverseness.  None  calleth  for  justice,  nor 
any  pleadeth  for  truth :  they  trust  in  vanity,  and 
speak  lies ; 

Their  works  are  works  of  iniquity,  and  the  act  of 
violence  is  in  their  hands.  Their  feet  run  to  evil, 
and  they  make  haste  to  shed  innocent  blood :  their 
thoughts  are  thoughts  of  iniquity;  wasting  and 
destruction  are  in  their  paths.  The  way  of  peace 
they  know  not;  and  there  is  no  judgment  in  their 
goings :  they  have  made  them  crooked  paths ;  who- 
soever goeth  therein  shall  not  know  peace. 

Therefore  is  judgment  far  from  us,  neither  doth 
justice  overtake  us :  we  wait  for  light,  but  behold 
obscurity;  for  brightness,  but  we  walk  in  darkness. 
We  grope  for  the  wall  like  the  blind,  and  we  grope 
as  if  we  had  no  eyes :  we  stumble  at  noonday  as  in 
the  night ;  we  are  in  desolate  places  as  dead  men. 
We  roar  all  like  bears,  and  mourn  sore  like  doves : 
we  look  for  judgment,  but  there  is  none ;  for  salva- 
tion, but  it  is  far  off  from  us.  For  our  transgressions 
are  multiplied  before  thee,  and  our  sins  testify 
against  us :  for  our  transgressions  are  with  us ;  and 
as  for  our  iniquities,  we  know  them  ;  in  transgressing 
and  lying  against  the  Lord,  and  departing  away 
from  our  God,  speaking  oppression  and  revolt,  con- 
ceiving and  uttering  from  the  heart  words  of  false- 
hood. And  judgment  is  turned  away  backward,  and 
justice  standeth  afar  off:  for  truth  is  fallen  in  the 
street,  and  equity  cannot  enter.  Yea,  truth  faileth : 


io6          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

and  he  tJiat  departeth  from  evil  maketh  himself  a 
prey:  And  the  Lord  saw  it,  and  it  displeased  him 
that  there  was  no  judgment. 

And  he  saw  that  there  was  no  man,  and  wondered 
that  there  was  no  intercessor:  therefore  his  arm 
brought  salvation  unto  him ;  and  his  righteousness, 
it  sustained  him.  For  he  put  on  righteousness  as 
a  breast-plate,  and  a  helmet  of  salvation  upon  his 
head ;  and  he  put  on  the  garments  of  vengeance 
for  clothing,  and  was  clad  with  zeal  as  a  cloak. 
According  to  their  deeds,  accordingly  he  will  repay, 
fury  to  his  adversaries,  recompense  to  his  enemies ; 
to  the  islands  he  will  repay  recompense. 

So  shall  they  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord  from  the 
west,  and  his  glory  from  the  rising  of  the  sun.  When 
the  enemy  shall  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against  him. 

Isaiah  59: 1-4, 6-19. 

xcv. 


The  Duties  of  Patriotism. 


Let  every  soul  be  subject  unto  the  higher  powers. 
For  there  is  no  power  but  of  God  :  the  powers  that 
be  are  ordained  of  God. 

Whosoever  therefore  resisteth  the  power,  resist- 
eth  the  ordinance  of  God: 

•         > 

For  rulers  are  not  a  terror  to  good  works,  but  to 
the  evil.  Wilt  thou  then  not  be  afraid  of  the 
power?  do  that  which  is  good,  and  thou  shalt  have 
praise  of  the  same : 


The  Duties  of  Patriotism.         107 

For  he  is  the  minister  of  God  to  thee  for  good. 
But  if  thou  do  that  which  is  evil,  be  afraid  ;  for  he 
beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain :  for  he  is  the  minister 
of  God,  a  revenger  to  execute  wrath  upon  him  that 
doeth  evil. 

Wherefore  ye  must  needs  be  subject,  not  only 
for  wrath,  but  also  for  conscience'  sake. 

For,  for  this  cause  pay  ye  tribute  also  :  for  they 
are  God's  ministers,  attending  continually  upon  this 
very  thing. 

Render  therefore  to  all  their  dues  :  tribute  to 
whom  tribute  is  due ;  custom  to  whom  custom;. fear 
to  whom  fear ;  honour  to  whom  honour. 

Owe  no  man  any  thing,  but  to  love  one  another: 
for  he  that  loveth  another  hath  fulfilled  the  law. 

For  this,  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery,  Thou 
shalt  not  kill,  Thou  shalt  not  steal,  Thou  shalt  not 
bear  false  witness,  Thou  shalt  not  covet;  and  if 
there  be  any  other  commandment,  it  is  briefly  com- 
prehended in  this  saying,  namely,  Thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbor  as  thyself. 

Love  worketh  no  ill  to  his  neighbour:  therefore 
love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law. 

And  that,  knowing  the  time,  that  now  it  is  high 
time  to  awake  out  of  sleep:  for  now  is  our  salvation 
nearer  than  when  we  believed. 

The  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand:  let  us 
therefore  cast  off  the  works  of  darkness,  and  let  us 
put  on  the  armour  of  light.  Rom.  I3.  wo< 


•0NIVEHSITT 


io8         Readings  from  the  Bible. 


xcvi. 


A  Glorious  Future. 


But  in  the  last  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that 
the  mountain  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  es- 
tablished in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  it  shall 
be  exalted  above  the  hills;  and  people  shall  flow 
unto  it. 

And  many  nations  shall  come,  and  say,  Come, 
and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  and 
to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob;  and  he  will  teach 
us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths:  for 
the  law  shall  go  forth  of  Zion,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

And  he  shall  judge  among  many  people,  and 
rebuke  strong  nations  afar  off;  and  they  shall  beat 
their  swords  into  ploughshares,  and  their  spears  into 
pruning  hooks:  nation  shall  not  lift  up  a  sword 
against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more. 

But  they  shall  sit  every  man  under  his  vine  and 
under  his  fig  tree;  and  none  shall  make  them  afraid: 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  hath  spoken  it. 

In  that  day,  saith  the  Lord,  will  I  assemble  her 
that  halteth,  and  I  will  gather  her  that  is  driven  out, 
and  her  that  I  have  afflicted;  and  I  will  make  her 
that  halted  a  remnant,  and  her  that  was  cast  far  off 
a  strong  nation:  and  the  Lord  shall  reign  over  them 
in  mount  Zion  from  henceforth,  even  for  ever. 

Micah  4:14,  6-7. 


The  Two  Great  Commandments.    109 


xcvu. 


The  Two  Great  Commandments. 


Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
mind. 

This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment. 
And  the  second  is  like  unto  it, 
Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself. 
On  these  two  commandments  hang  all  the  law 
and  the  prophets.  Matt  22: 37-40. 


XCVIII. 


The  Source  of  Power,  Wisdom  and  Joy. 


0  how  love  I  thy  law ! 

It  is  my  meditation  all  the  day. 

Thou  through  thy  commandments   hast   made  me 

wiser  than  mine  enemies : 
For  they  are  ever  with  me. 

1  have  more  understanding  than  all  my  teachers : 
For  thy  testimonies  are  my  meditation. 

I  understand  more  than  the  ancients, 
Because  I  keep  thy  precepts. 
I  have  refrained  my  feet  from  every  evil  way, 
That  I  might  keep  thy  word. 


1 10         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

I  have  not  departed  from  thy  judgments : 

For  thou  hast  taught  me. 

How  sweet  are  thy  words  unto  my  taste ! 

Yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth. 

Through  thy  precepts  I  get  understanding 

Therefore  I  hate  every  false  way. 

Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet, 

And  a  light  unto  my  path.  Psaim 


XCIX. 


Wisdom  s  Call. 


Doth  not  wisdom  cry? 

And  understanding  put  forth  her  voice  ? 

She  standeth  in  the  top  of  high  places, 

By  the  way  in  the  places  of  the  paths. 

She  crieth  at  the  gates, 

At  the  entry  of  the  city, 

At  the  coming  in  at  the  doors : 

Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call ; 

And  my  voice  is  to  the  sons  of  man. 

O  ye  simple,  understand  wisdom : 

And,  ye  fools,  be  ye  of  an  understanding  heart. 

Hear ;  for  I  will  speak  of  excellent  things ; 

And  the  opening  of  my  lips  shall  be  right  things. 

For  my  mouth  shall  speak  truth ; 

And  wickedness  is  an  abomination  to  my  lips. 

All  the  words  of  my  mouth  are  in  righteousness ; 

There  is  nothing  froward  or  perverse  in  them. 

They  are  all  plain  to  him  that  understandeth, 


IVisdonfs  Call.  \  \  i 


And  right  to  them  that  find  knowledge. 

Receive  my  instruction,  and  not  silver ; 

And  knowledge  rather  than  choice  gold. 

For  wisdom  is  better  than  rubies ; 

And  all  the  things  that  may  be  desired  are  not  to  be 
compared  to  it. 

I  wisdom  dwell  with  prudence, 

And  find  out  knowledge  of  witty  inventions. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  to  hate  evil : 

Pride,  and  arrogancy,  and  the  evil  way, 

And  the  froward  mouth,  do  I  hate. 

Counsel  is  mine,  and  sound  wisdom ; 

I  ant  understanding;  I  have  strength. 

By  me  kings  reign, 

And  princes  decree  justice. 

By  me  princes  rule,  and  nobles, 

Even  all  the  judges  of  the  earth. 

I  love  them  that  love  me ; 

And  those  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me. 

Riches  and  honour  are  with  me ; 

Yea,  durable  riches  and  righteousness. 

My  fruit  is  better  than  gold,  yea,  than  fine  gold ; 

And  my  revenue  than  choice  silver. 

I  lead  in  the  way  of  righteousness, 

In  the  midst  of  the  paths  of  judgment : 

That  I  may  cause  those  that  love  me  to  inherit  sub- 
stance ; 

And  I  will  fill  their  treasures. 

The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his  way, 

Before  his  works  of  old. 

I  was  set  up  from  everlasting, 

From  the  beginning,  or  ever  the  earth  was. 

When  there  were  no  depths,  I  was  brought  forth ; 


1 1 2         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

When  there  were  no  fountains  abounding  with  water. 

Before  the  mountains  were  settled, 

Before  the  hills  was  I  brought  forth : 

While  as  yet  he  had  not  made  the  earth, 

Nor  the  fields,  nor  the  highest  part  of  the  dust  of 

the  world. 

When  he  prepared  the  heavens,  I  was  there : 
When  he  set  a  compass  upon  the  face  of  the  depth : 
When  he  established  the  clouds  above : 
When  he  strengthened  the  fountains  of  the  deep : 
When  he  gave  to  the  sea  his  decree, 
That  the  waters  should  not  pass  his  commandment : 
When  he  appointed  the  foundations  of  the  earth : 
Then  I  was  by  him,  as  one  brought  up  with  him: 
And  I  was  daily  his  delight,  rejoicing  always  before 

him  ; 

Rejoicing  in  the  habitable  part  of  his  earth ; 
And  my  delights  were  with  the  sons  of  men. 
Now  therefore  hearken  unto  me,  O  ye  children : 
For  blessed  are  they  that  keep  my  ways. 
Hear  instruction,  and  be  wise, 
And  refuse  it  not. 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  heareth  me, 
Watching  daily  at  my  gates, 
Waiting  at  the  posts  of  my  doors. 
For  whoso  findeth  me  findeth  life, 
And  shall  obtain  favour  of  the  Lord. 
But  he  that  sinneth  against  me  wrongeth  his  own 

soul : 
All  they  that  hate  me  love  death.  Prov.  8:  ,.36. 


7  lie  Ideal  Woman*  1 1 3 


c. 


Good  Resolutions  for  A  Ruler. 


I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment: 

Unto  thee,  O  Lord,  will  I  sing. 

I  will  behave  myself  wisely  in  a  perfect  way. 

O,  when  wilt  thou  come  unto  me? 

I  will  walk  within  my  house  with  a  perfect  heart. 

I  will  set  no  wicked  thing  before  mine  eyes: 

I  hate  the  work  of  them  that  turn  aside; 

//  shall  not  cleave  to  me. 

A  f reward  heart  shall  depart  from  me: 

I  will  not  know  a  wicked  person. 

Whoso  privily  slandereth  his  neighbour,  him  will  I 

cut  off: 
Him  that  hath  a  high  look  and  a  proud  heart  will 

not  I  suffer. 

Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon  the  faithful  of  the  land, 
That  they  may  dwell  with  me: 

He  that  walketh  in  a  perfect  way,  he  shall  serve  me. 
He  that  worketh  deceit  shall  not  dwell  within  my 

house: 
He  that  telleth  lies  shall  not  tarry  in  my  sight. 

Psalm  101:  1-7. 

CI. 


The  Ideal  Woman. 


Who  can  find  a  virtuous  woman? 
For  her  price  is  far  above  rubies. 
The  heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her, 


1 14         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

So  that  he  shall  have  no  need  of  spoil. 

She  will  do  him  good  and  not  evil 

All  the  days  of  her  life. 

She  seeketh  wool,  and  flax, 

And  worketh  willingly  with  her  hands. 

She  is  like  the  merchants'  ships; 

She  bringeth  her  food  from  afar. 

She  riseth  also  while  it  is  yet  night, 

And  giveth  meat  to  her  household, 

And  a  portion  to  her  maidens. 

She  considereth  a  field,  and  buyeth  it: 

With  the  fruit  of  her  hands  she  planteth  a  vineyard. 

She  girdeth  her  loins  with  strength, 

And  strengtheneth  her  arms. 

She  perceiveth  that  her  merchandise  is  good: 

Her  candle  goeth  not  out  by  night. 

She  layeth  her  hands  to  the  spindle, 

And  her  hands  hold  the  distaff. 

She  stretcheth  out  her  hand  to  the  poor; 

Yea,  she  reacheth  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy. 

She  is  not  afraid  of  the  snow  for  her  household: 

For  all  her  household  are  clothed  with  scarlet. 

She  maketh  herself  coverings  of  tapestry; 

Her  clothing  is  silk  and  purple. 

Her  husband  is  known  in  the  gates, 

When  he  sitteth  among  the  elders  of  the  land. 

She  maketh  fine  linen  and  selleth  it; 

And  delivereth  girdles  unto  the  merchant. 

Strength  and  honour  are  her  clothing; 

And  she  shall  rejoice  in  time  to  come. 

She  openeth  her  mouth  with  wisdom; 

And  in  her  tongue  is  the  law  of  kindness. 

She  looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household, 


Contemplation  of  Character  and  Law.    1 1 5 


And  eateth  not  the  bread  of  idleness. 

Her  children  arise  up,  and  call  her  blessed; 

Her  husband  also,  and  he  praiseth  her. 

Many  daughters  have  done  virtuously, 

But  thou  excellest  them  all. 

Favour  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is  vain: 

But  a  woman  that  feareth   the   Lord,  she  shall   be 

praised. 

Give  her  of  the  fruit  of  her  hands; 
And  let  her  own  works  praise  her  in  the  gates. 

Prov.  31:  10-31. 

CII. 


Contemplation  of  Character  and  Law. 

Blessed  are  the  undefiled  in  the  way, 
Who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord. 
Blessed  are  they  that  keep  his  testimonies, 
And  that  seek  him  with  the  whole  heart. 
They  also  do  no  iniquity: 
They  walk  in  his  ways. 
Thou  hast  commanded  us 
To  keep  thy  precepts  diligently. 

0  that  my  ways  were  directed 
To  keep  thy  statutes! 

Then  shall  I  not  be  ashamed, 

When  I  have  respect  unto  all  thy  commandments. 

1  will  praise  thee  with  uprightness  of  heart, 
When  I  shall  have  learned  thy  righteous  judgments. 
I  will  keep  thy  statutes: 

O  forsake  me  not  utterly. 

Wherewithal  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  way  ? 


1 1 6          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

By  taking  heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word. 
With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  thee: 

0  let  me  not  wander  from  thy  commandments. 
Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  mine  heart, 

That  I  might  not  sin  against  thee. 
Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord: 
Teach  me  thy  statutes. 
With  my  lips  have  I  declared 
All  the  judgments  of  thy  mouth. 

Remove  from  me  the  way  of  lying: 
And  grant  me  thy  law  graciously. 

1  have  chosen  the  way  of  truth: 
Thy  judgments  have  I  laid  before  me. 
I  have  stuck  unto  thy  testimonies: 

0  Lord,  put  me  not  to  shame. 

1  will  run  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 
When  thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart. 
Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  thy  statutes; 
And  I  shall  keep  it  unto  the  end. 

Give  me  understanding, 

And  I  shall  keep  thy  law; 

Yea,  I  shall  observe  it  with  my  whole  heart. 

Make  me  to  go  in  the  path  of  thy  commandments; 

For  therein  do  I  delight. 

Incline  my  heart  unto  thy  testimonies, 

And  not  to  covetousness. 

Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity; 

And  quicken  thou  me  in  thy  way. 

Psalm  119:  1-13,  29-37. 


Faith,  Rest,  Peace.  1 1 7 


cm. 


Faith,  Rest,  Peace. 


Trust  in  the  Lord  and  do  good; 

So  shalt  thou  dwell  in  the  land, 

And  verily  thou  shalt  be  fed. 

Delight  thyself  also  in  the  Lord; 

And  he  shall  give  thee  the  desires  of  thine  heart. 

Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord; 

Trust  also  in  him; 

And  he  shall  bring  it  to  pass. 

And  he  shall  bring  forth  thy  righteousness  as  the 

light,  and  thy  judgment  as  the  noonday. 
Rest  in  the  Lord,  and  wait  patiently  for  him: 
Fret  not  thyself  because  of  him  who  prospereth  in 

his  way, 
Because  of  the  man  who  bringeth  wicked  devices  to 

pass. 

Cease  from  anger,  and  forsake  wrath: 
Fret  not  thyself  in  any  wise  to  do  evil. 
For  evil  doers  shall  be  cut  off: 
But  those  that  wait  upon  the  Lord, 
They  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

For  yet  a  little  while,  and  the  wicked  shall  notfo: 
Yea,  thou  shalt  diligently  consider  his  place,  and  it 

shall  not  be. 

But  the  meek  shall  inherit  the  earth; 
And  shall  delight  themselves  in  the  abundance  of 

Peace.  Psalm  37:  3-»- 


1 8          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


civ. 


From   The  Farewell  of  Moses. 

For  this  commandment  which  I  command  thee 
this  day,  it  is  not  hidden  from  thee,  neither  is  it 
far  off.  It  is  not  in  heaven,  that  thou  shouldst  say, 
Who  shall  go  up  for  us  to  heaven,  and  bring  it  unto 
us,  that  we  may  hear  it,  and  do  it?  Neither  is  it 
beyond  the  sea,  that  thou  shouldst  say,  Who  shall 
go  over  the  sea  for  us,  and  bring  it  unto  us,  that  we 
may  hear  it,  and  do  it?  But  the  word  is  very  nigh 
unto  thee,  in  thy  mouth,  and  in  thy  heart,  that  thou 
mayest  do  it. 

See,  I  have  set  before  thee  this  day  life  and 
good,  and  death  and  evil;  in  that  I  command  thee 
this  day  to  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  to  walk  in  his 
ways,  and  to  keep  his  commandments,  and  his 
statutes,  and  his  judgments,  that  thou  mayest  live 
and  multiply:  and  the  Lord  thy  God  shall  bless 
thee  in  the  land  whither  thou  goest  to  possess  it. 

But  if  thine  heart  turn  away,  so  that  thou  wilt 
not  hear,  but  shalt  be  drawn  away,  and  worship 
other  gods,  and  serve  them;  I  denounce  unto  you 
this  day,  that  ye  shall  surely  perish,  and  that  ye 
shall  not  prolong  your  days  upon  the  land,  whither 
thou  passeth  over  Jordan  to  go  to  possess  it. 

I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  record  this  day  against 
you,  that  I  have  set  before  you  life  and  death,  bless- 
ing and  cursing:  therefore  choose  life,  that  both 
thou  and  thy  seed  may  live:  that  thou  mayest  love 
the  Lord  thy  God,  and  that  thou  mayest  obey  his 


Honorable  Conduct.  1 19 


voice,  and  that  thou  mayest  cleave  unto  him:   for  he 
is  thy  life,  and  the  length  of  thy  days. 

Be  strong  and  of  a  good  courage,  fear  not,  nor 
be  afraid  of  them:  for  the  Lord  thy  God,  he  it  is 
that  doth  go  with  thee;  he  will  not  fail  thee,  nor 
forsake  thee.  Deut.  3o:  ,1-20, 31=  6. 


CV. 


Honorable    Conduct   Required    Under  all   Cir- 
cumstances. 


Watch  therefore;  for  ye  know  not  what  hour 
your  Lord  doth  come. 

But  know  this,  that  if  the  goodman  of  the  house 
had  known  in  what  watch  the  thief  would  come,  he 
would  have  watched,  and  would  not  have  suffered 
his  house  to  be  broken  up.  Therefore  be  ye  also 
ready:  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not  the  Son 
of  man  cometh. 

Who  then  is  a  faithful  and  wise  servant,  whom 
his  lord  hath  made  ruler  over  his  household,  to  give 
them  meat  in  due  season? 

Blessed  is  that  servant,  whom  his  lord  when  he 
cometh  shall  find  so  doing.  Verily  I  say  unto  you, 
That  he  shall  make  him  ruler  over  all  his  goods. 

But  and  if  that  evil  servant  shall  say  in  his  heart, 
my  lord  delayeth  his  coming:  and  shall  begin  to 
smite  his  fellow  servants,  and  to  eat  and  drink  with 
the  drunken;  the  lord  of  that  servant  shall  come  in 


120          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


a  day  when  he  looketh  not  for  him,  and  in  an  hour 
that  he  is  not  aware  of.  And  shall  cut  him  asunder, 
and  appoint  him  his  portion  with  the  hypocrites: 
there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth. 

Matt.  24:42-51. 

CVI. 


"The  Lord's  Portion  is  His  People" 


Give  ear,  O  ye  heavens,  and  I  will  speak ; 

And  hear,  O  earth,  the  words  of  my  mouth. 

My  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain, 

My  speech  shall  distil  as  the  dew, 

As  the  small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb, 

And  as  the  showers  upon  the  grass : 

Because  I  will  publish  the  name  of  the  Lord : 

Ascribe  ye  greatness  unto  our  God. 

He  is  the  Rock,  his  work  is  perfect : 

For  all  his  ways  are  judgment : 

A  God  of  truth  and  without  iniquity, 

Just  and  right  is  he. 

They  have  corrupted  themselves, 

Their  spot  is  not  the  spot  of  his  children  : 

They  are  a  perverse  and  crooked  generation. 

Do  ye  thus  requite  the  Lord,  O  foolish  people  and 

unwise  ? 

Is  not  he  thy  father  that  hath  bought  thee  ? 
Hath  he  not  made  thee,  and  established  thee  ? 
Remember  the  days  of  old, 
Consider  the  years  of  many  generations  ? 
Ask  thy  father,  and  he  will  shew  thee ; 
Thy  elders,  and  they  will  tell  thee. 


Glorious  in  Holiness.  1 2 1 

When  the  Most  High  divided  to  the  nations  their 

inheritance, 

When  he  separated  the  sons  of  Adam, 
He  set  the  bounds  of  the  people  according  to  the 

number  of  the  children  of  Israel. 
For  the  Lord's  portion  is  his  people : 
Jacob  is  the  lot  of  his  inheritance. 
He  found  him  in  a  desert  land, 
And  in  the  waste  howling  wilderness ; 
He  led  him  about, 
He  instructed  him, 
He  kept  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye. 
As  an  eagle  stirreth  up  her  nest, 
Fluttereth  over  her  young, 
Spreadeth  abroad  her  wings,  taketh  them, 
Beareth  them  on  her  wings : 
So  the  Lord  alone  did  lead  him, 
And  there  was  no  strange  god  with  him. 

Deut.  32: 1-12. 


CVII. 


Glorious  in  Holiness. 


Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,  which 
was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.  Rev.  4:8. 

Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  Matt>  5:l6 

Behold,  the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with  men,  and 
he  will  dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  peo- 


1 2  2          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

pie,  and    God    himself  shall   be  with  them,  and  be 
their  God. 

And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their 
eyes;  and  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither 
sorrow,  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there  be  any  more 
pain:  for  the  former  things  are  passed  away. 

Rev.  21:3,  4. 

Thine,  O  Lord,  is  the  greatness,  and  the  power, 
and  the  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the  majesty: 
for  all  that  is  in  the  heaven  and  the  earth  is  thine  \ 
thine  is  the  kingdom,  O  Lord,  and  thou  art  exalted 
as  head  above  all.  ,  Chron.  29:II 

Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  hosts:  the 
whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory.  Isaiah  6:3. 

Who  is  like  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  gods? 
who  is  like  thee,  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in 
praises,  doing  wonders?  EX.  15:11. 


CVIII. 


Righteous  Laws. 


Ye  shall  fear  every  man  his  mother,  and  his 
father,  and  keep  my  sabbaths:  I  am  the  Lord  your 
God. 

Turn  ye  not  unto  idols,  nor  make  to  yourselves 
molten  gods:  I  am  the  Lord  your  God. 

Ye  shall  not  steal,  neither  deal  falsely,  neither 
lie  one  to  another. 

And  ye  shall    not  swear  by   my   name   falsely, 


Peace  and  Blessing  for  the  Upright.   1 2  3 

neither  shalt  thou  profane  the  name  of  thy  God:  I 
am  the  Lord. 

Thou  shalt  not  defraud  thy  neighbour,  neither 
rob  him,  the  wages  of  him  that  is  hired  shall  not 
abide  with  thee  all  night  until  the  morning. 

Thou  shalt  not  curse  the  deaf,  nor  put  a  stumb- 
ling block  before  the  blind,  but  shalt  fear  thy  God: 
I  am  the  Lord. 

Ye  shall  do  no  unrighteousness  in  judgment; 
thou  shalt  not  respect  the  person  of  the  poor,  nor 
honour  the  person  of  the  mighty:  but  in  righteous- 
ness shalt  thou  judge  thy  neighbour. 

Thou  shalt  not  go  up  and  down  as  a  talebearer 
among  thy  people. 

Thou  shalt  not  hate  thy  brother  in  thine  heart; 
thou  shalt  in  any  wise  rebuke  thy  neighbour,  and  not 
suffer  sin  upon  him. 

Thou  shalt  not  avenge,  nor  bear  any  grudge 
against  the  children  of  thy  people,  but  thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself:  I  am  the  Lord. 

Lev.  19:  3-4, 11-18. 

CIX. 


Peace  and  Blessing  for  the  Upright. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareth  the  Lord, 

That  delighteth  greatly  in  his  commandments. 

His  seed  shall  be  mighty  upon  earth: 

The  generation  of  the  upright  shall  be  blessed. 

Wealth  and  riches  shall  be  in  his  house: 

And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 

Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  the  darkness: 


1 24          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


He  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion,  and  righteous. 

A  good  man  sheweth  favour,  and  lendeth: 

He  will  guide  his  affairs  with  discretion. 

Surely  he  shall  not  be  moved  for  ever: 

The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

He  shall  not  be  afraid  of  evil  tidings: 

His  heart  is  fixed,  trusting  in  the  Lord. 

Psalm  112 : 1-7. 

He  that  walketh  righteously,  and  speaketh  up- 
rightly: he  that  despiseth  the  gain  of  oppressions, 
that  shaketh  his  hands  from  holding  of  bribes,  that 
stoppeth  his  ears  from  hearing  of  blood,  and  shut- 
teth  his  eyes  from  seeing  evil:  he  shall  dwell  on  high; 
his  place  of  defence  shall  be  the  munitions  of  rocks, 
bread  shall  be  given  him;  and  his  waters  shall  be  sure: 

Isaiah  33: 15-16. 

ex. 


The  God  of  Nature. 


Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

O  Lord  my  God,  thou  art  very  great; 

Thou  art  clothed  with  honour  and  majesty: 

Who  coverest  thyself "with  light  as  with  a  garment: 

Who  stretcheth  out  the  heavens  like  a  curtain: 

Who  layeth  the  beams  of  his  chambers  in  the  waters: 

Who  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot: 

Who  walketh  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind: 

Who  maketh  his  angels  spirits; 

His  ministers  a  flaming  fire: 

Who  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth, 

That  it  should  not  be  removed  for  ever. 


The  God  of  Natiire.  1 2  5 

Thou  coveredst  it  with  the  deep  as  with  a  garment: 

The  waters  stood  above  the  mountains. 

At  thy  rebuke  they  fled; 

At  the  voice  of  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away. 

They  go  up  by  the  mountains ; 

They  go  down  by  the  valleys 

Unto  the  place  which  thou  hast  founded  for  them. 

Thou  hast  set  a  bound  that  they  may  not  pass  over; 

That  they  turn  not  again  to  cover  the  earth. 

He  sendeth  the  springs  into  the  valleys, 

Which  run  among  the  hills. 

They  give  drink  to  every  beast  of  the  field : 

The  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst. 

By  them  shall  the  fowls  of  the  heaven  have  their 

,     habitation, 

Which  sing  among  the  branches. 
He  watereth  the  hills  from  his  chambers : 
The  earth  is  satisfied  with  the  fruit  of  thy  works. 
He  causeth  the  grass  to  grow  for  the  cattle, 
And  herb  for  the  service  of  man : 
That  he  may  bring  forth  food  out  of  the  earth ; 
And  wine  that  maketh  glad  the  heart  of  man, 
And  oil  to  make  his  face  to  shine, 
And  bread  which  strengtheneth  man's  heart. 
The  trees  of  the  Lord  are  full  of  sap: 
The  cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  he  hath  planted ; 
Where  the  birds  make  their  nests : 
As  for  the  stork,  the  fir  trees  are  her  house. 
The  high  hills  are  a  refuge  for  the  wild  goats ; 
And  the  rocks  for  the  conies. 
He  appointed  the  moon  for  seasons : 
The  sun  knoweth  his  going  down. 
Thou  makest  darkness,  and  it  is  night : 


i26          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Wherein  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  do  creep  forth. 

The  young  lions  roar  after  their  prey, 

And  seek  their  meat  from  God. 

The  sun  ariseth, 

They  gather  themselves  together, 

And  lay  them  down  in  their  dens. 

Man  goeth  forth  unto  his  work 

And  to  his  labour  until  the  evening. 

O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works  ! 

In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all : 

The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches. 

So  is  this  great  and  wide  sea, 

Wherein  are  things  creeping  innumerable, 

Both  small  and  great  beasts. 

There  go  the  ships : 

There  is  that  leviathan,  whom  thou  hast  made  to  play 

therein. 

These  wait  all  upon  thee  ; 

That  thou  mayest  give  them  their  meat  in  due  season. 
That  thou  givest  them  they  gather  : 
Thou  openest  thine  hand, 
They  are  filled  with  good. 
Thou  hidest  thy  face, 
They  are  troubled : 
Thou  takest  away  their  breath, 
They  die,  and  return  to  their  dust. 
Thou  sendest  forth  thy  spirit, 
They  are  created : 

And  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth. 
The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  endure  forever : 
The  Lord  shall  rejoice  in  his  works. 
He  looketh  on  the  earth, 
And  it  trembleth : 


Rules  of  Conduct.  1 2  7 

He  toucheth  the  hills, 

And  they  smoke. 

I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live : 

I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  while  I  have  my  being. 

My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet ; 

I  will  be  glad  in  the  Lord. 

Let  the  sinners  be  consumed  out  of  the  earth, 

And  let  the  wicked  be  no  more. 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord.  Psaim  104< 

CXI. 


Rules  of  Conduct. 

He  that  giveth,  let  hint  do  it  with  simplicity;  he 
that  ruleth,  with  diligence;  he  that  sheweth  mercy, 
with  cheerfulness. 

Let  love  be  without  dissimulation.  Abhor  that 
which  is  evil;  cleave  to  that  which  is  good. 

Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another  with  broth- 
erly love;  in  honour  preferring  one  another; 

Not  slothful  in  business;  fervent  in  spirit;  serv- 
ing the  Lord; 

Rejoicing  in  hope;  patient  in  tribulation;  continu- 
ing instant  in  prayer; 

Distributing  to  the  necessity  of  saints;  given  to 
hospitality. 

Bless  them  which  persecute  you:  bless,  and  curse 
not. 

Rejoice  with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with 
them  that  weep. 

Be  of  the  same  mind  one  towards  another.    Mind 


128          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

not  high  things,  but  condescend  to  men  of  low 
estate.  Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits. 

Recompense  to  no  man  evil  for  evil.  Provide 
things  honest  in  the  sight  of  all  men. 

If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you,  live 
peaceably  with  all  men. 

Dearly  beloved,  avenge  not  yourselves,  but  rather 
give  place  unto  wrath:  for  it  is  written,  Vengeance 
is  mine;  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord. 

Therefore  if  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him;  if  he 
thirst,  give  him  drink:  for  in  so  doing  thou  shalt 
heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head. 

Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with 

Romans  12:  8-21. 

CXII. 


A  Final  Resort  in  Trouble. 


I  cried  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice  ; 

With  my  voice  unto  the  Lord  did  I  make  my  suppli- 
cation. 

I  poured  out  my  complaint  before  him  ; 

I  shewed  before  him  my  trouble. 

When  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed  within  me, 

Then  thou  knewest  my  path. 

In  the  way  wherein  I  walked  have  they  privily  laid 
a  snare  for  me. 

I  looked  on  my  right  hand,  and  beheld, 

But  there  was  no  man  that  would  know  me : 

Refuge  failed  me  ; 

No  man  cared  for  my  soul. 

I  cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord  : 


Proverbs.  129 


I  said,  Thou  art  my  refuge  and  my  portion  in  the 

land  of  the  living. 
Attend  unto  my  cry  ; 
For  I  am  brought  very  low : 
Deliver  me  from  my  persecutors  ; 
For  they  are  stronger  than  I. 
Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison, 
That  I  may  praise  thy  name  : 
The  righteous  shall  compass  me  about ; 
For  thou  shalt  deal  bountifully  with  me. 

Psalm  142 : 1-7. 

CXIII. 


Proverbs. 

In  all  labor  there  is  profit : 

But  the  talk  of  the  lips  tendeth  only  to  penury. 

The  crown  of  the  wise  is  their  riches  : 

But  the  foolishness  of  fools  is  folly. 

A  true  witness  delivereth  souls  : 

But  a  deceitful  witness  speaketh  lies. 

In  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  strong  confidence  : 

And  his  children  shall  have  a  place  of  refuge. 

The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  a  fountain  of  life, 

To  depart  from  the  snares  of  death. 

In  the  multitude  of  people  is  the  king's  honour  : 

But  in  the  want  of  people  is  the  destruction  of  the 

prince. 

He  that  is  slow  to  wrath  is  of  great  understanding  : 
But  he  that  is  hasty  of  spirit  exalteth  folly. 
A  sound  heart  is  the  life  of  the  flesh  : 
But  envy  the  rottenness  of  the  bones. 


130         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

He  that  oppresseth  the  poor  reproacheth  his  Maker: 

But  he  that  honoureth  him  hath  mercy  on  the  poor. 

The  wicked  is  driven  away  in  his  wickedness  : 

But  the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death. 

Wisdom  resteth  in  the  heart  of  him  that  hath  under- 
standing : 

But  that  which  is  in  the  midst  of  fools  is  made 
known. 

Righteousness  exalteth  a  nation  : 

But  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people. 

Prov.  14:23-34. 

CXIV. 


Yearnings  for  the  Place  of  Worship. 

How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles, 

O  Lord  of  hosts  ! 

My  soul  longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts  of 

the  Lord  : 

My  heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  living  God. 
Yea,  the  sparrow  hath  found  a  house, 
And  the  swallow  a  nest  for  herself,  where  she  may 

lay  her  young, 
Even  thine  altars,  O  Lord  of  hosts,  my  King,  and 

my  God. 

Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house  : 
They  will  be  still  praising  thee. 
Blessed  is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in  thee  : 
In  whose  heart  are  the  ways  of  them. 
Who  passing  through  the  valley  of  Baca  make  it  a 

well; 
The  rain  also  filleth  the  pools. 


The  Glory  that  shall  be  Hereafter.    1 3 1 

They  go  from  strength  to  strength, 

Every  one  of  them  in  Zion  appeareth  before  God. 

0  Lord  God  of  hosts,  hear  my  prayer  : 
Give  ear,  O  God  of  Jacob. 

Behold,  O  God  our  shield, 

And  look  upon  the  face  of  thine  anointed. 

For  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand. 

1  had  rather  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  my  God, 
Than  to  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield  : 

The  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory  : 

No  good  thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk 

uprightly. 
O  Lord  of  hosts, 
Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  thee. 

Psalm  84. 

cxv. 


The  Glory  that  shall  be  Hereafter. 

The  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  shall  be 
glad  for  them  ;  and  the  desert  shall  rejoice,  and 
blossom  as  the  rose.  It  shall  blossom  abundantly, 
and  rejoice  even  with  joy  and  singing  :  the  glory  of 
Lebanon  shall  be  given  unto  it,  the  excellency  of 
Carmel  and  Sharon ;  they  shall  see  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  and  the  excellency  of  our  God. 

Strengthen  ye  the  weak  hands,  and  confirm  the 
feeble  knees.  Say  to  them  that  are  of  a  fearful 
heart,  Be  strong,  fear  not :  behold,  your  God  will 
come  with  vengeance,  even  God  with  a  recompense  ; 
he  will  come  and  save  you. 

Then  the  eyes  of  the  blind  shall  be  opened,  and 


132          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

the  ears  of  the  deaf  shall  be  unstopped.  Then  shall 
the  lame  man  leap  as  a  hart,  and  the  tongue  of  the 
dumb  sing  :  for  in  the  wilderness  shall  waters  break 
out,  and  streams  in  the  desert.  And  the  parched 
ground  shall  become  a  pool,  and  the  thirsty  land 
springs  of  water :  in  the  habitation  of  dragons, 
where  each  lay,  shall  be  grass  with  reeds  and  rushes. 

And  a  highway  shall  be  there,  and  a  way,  and  it 
shall  be  called  The  way  of  holiness  ;  the  unclean 
shall  not  pass  over  it ;  but  it  shall  be  for  those  :  the 
wayfaring  men,  though  fools,  shall  not  err  therein. 

No  lion  shall  be  there,  nor  any  ravenous  beast 
shall  go  up  thereon,  it  shall  not  be  found  there  ;  but 
the  redeemed  shall  walk  there:  And  the  ransomed  of 
the  Lord  shall  return,  and  come  to  Zion  with  songs 
and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads  :  they  shall 
obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing 
shall  flee  away. 

CXVI. 


The  City  of  God. 

Arise,  shine;  for  thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee. 

For,  behold,  the  darkness  shall  cover  the  earth, 
and  gross  darkness  the  people:  but  the  Lord  shall 
arise  upon  thee,  and  his  glory  shall  be  seen  upon  thee. 
For  brass  I  will  bring  gold,  and  for  iron  I  will 
bring  silver,  and  for  wood  brass,  and  for  stones  iron: 
I  will  also  make  thy  officers  peace,  and  thine  exact- 
ors righteousness. 

Violence  shall  no  more  be  heard    in    thy   land, 


Works  of  Repentance.  1 3  3 

wasting  nor  destruction  within  thy  borders;  but  thou 
shalt  call  thy  walls  Salvation,  and  thy  gates  Praise. 

The  sun  shall  be  no  more  thy  light  by  day; 
neither  for  brightness  shall  the  moon  give  light  unto 
thee:  but  the  Lord  shall  be  unto  thee  an  everlasting 
light;  and  thy  God  thy  glory. 

Thy  sun  shall  no  more  go  down;  neither  shall 
thy  moon  withdraw  itself:  for  the  Lord  shall  be 
thine  everlasting  light,  and  the  days  of  thy  mourn- 
ing shall  be  ended. 

Thy  people  also  shall  be  all  righteous:  they  shall 
inherit  the  land  for  ever,  the  branch  of  my  planting, 
the  work  of  my  hands,  that  I  may  be  glorified. 

A  little  one  shall  become  a  thousand,  and  a  small 
one  a  strong  nation:  I  the  Lord  will  hasten  it  in  his 

time.  Isaiah  60: 1-2,  17-22.. 

CXVII. 


Works  of  Repentance. 

And  the  people  asked  him,  saying,  What  shall 
we  do  then  ? 

He  answereth  and  saith  unto  them,  He  that 
hath  two  coats,  let  him  impart  to  him  that  hath 
none ;  and  he  that  hath  meat,  let  him  do  likewise. 

Then  came  also  publicans     .... 

And  he  said  unto  them,  Exact  no  more  than 
that  which  is  appointed  you. 

And  the  soldiers  likewise  demanded  of  him, 
saying,  And  what  shall  we  do  ?  And  he  said  unto 
them,  Do  violence  to  no  man,  neither  accuse  any 
falsely ;  and  be  content  with  your  wages. 

Luke  8: 10-14. 


i34          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


CXVIII. 


The  Open  Message. 

The  high  priest  then  asked  Jesus  of  his  disciples, 
and  of  his  doctrine. 

Jesus  answered  him,  I  spake  openly  to  the  world; 
I  ever  taught  in  the  synagogue,  and  in  the  temple, 
whither  the  Jews  always  resort;  and  in  secret  have  I 
said  nothing.  John  18:19-20 

For  thus  saith  the  Lord  that  created  the  heavens; 
God  himself  that  formed  the  earth  and  made  it; 
he  hath  established  it,  he  created  it  not  in  vain,  he 
formed  it  to  be  inhabited:  I  am  the  Lord,  and  there 
is  none  else. 

I  have  not  spoken  in  secret,  in  a  dark  place  of 
the  earth.  Isaiah  4$:  18-19. 

Come  ye  near  unto  me,  hear  ye  this;  I  have  not 
spoken  in  secret  from  the  beginning. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  .thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy 
One  of  Israel;  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God  which  teach- 
eth  thee  to  profit,  which  leadeth  thee  by  the  way  that 
thou  shouldest  go. 

O  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  command- 
ments! then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and  thy 
righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea. 

Isaiah  48:  16-18. 

CXIX. 

Leviathan. 

Canst  thou  draw  out  leviathan  with  a  hook? 

Or  his  tongue  with  a  cord  which  thou  lettest  down? 

Canst  thou  put  a  hook  into  his  nose? 


Leviathan.  135 


Or  bore  his  jaw  through  with  a  thorn? 

Will  he  make  many  supplications  unto  thee? 

Will  he  speak  soft  words  unto  thee? 

Will  he  make  a  covenant  with  thee? 

Wilt  thou  take  him  for  a  servant  for  ever? 

Wilt  thou  play  with  him  as  with  a  bird? 

Or  wilt  thou  bind  him  for  thy  maidens? 

Shall  the  companions  make  a  banquet  of  him? 

Shall  they  part  him  among  the  merchants? 

Canst  thou  fill  his  skin  with  barbed  irons? 

Or  his  head  with  fish  spears? 

Lay  thine  hand  upon  him, 

Remember  the  battle,  do  no  more. 

Behold,  the  hope  of  him  is  in  vain: 

Shall  not  one  be  cast  down  even  at  the  sight  of  him? 

None  is  so  fierce  that  dare  stir  him  up: 

Who  then  is  able  to  stand  before  me? 

Who  hath  prevented  me,  that  I  should  repay  him? 

Whatsoever  is  under  the  whole  heaven  is  mine. 

I  will  not  conceal  his  parts, 

Nor  his  power,  nor  his  comely  proportion. 

Who  can  discover  the  face  of  his  garment? 

Or  who  can  come  to  him  with  his  double  bridle? 

Who  can  open  the  doors  of  his  face? 

His  teeth  are  terrible  round  about. 

His  scales  are  his  pride, 

Shut  up  together  as  with  a  close  seal. 

One  is  so  near  to  another, 

That  no  air  can  come  between  them. 

They  are  joined  one  to  another, 

They  stick  together,  that  they  cannot  be  sundered. 

By  his  neesings  a  light  doth  shine, 

And  his  eyes  are  like  the  eyelids  of  the  morning. 


1 36          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Out  of  his  mouth  go  burning  lamps, 

And  sparks  of  fire  leap  out. 

Out  of  his  nostrils  goeth  smoke, 

As  out  of  a  seething  pot  or  caldron. 

His  breath  kindleth  coals, 

And  a  flame  goeth  out  of  his  mouth. 

In  his  neck  remaineth  strength, 

And  sorrow  is  turned  into  joy  before  him. 

The  flakes  of  his  flesh  are  joined  together: 

They  are  firm  in  themselves; 

They  cannot  be  moved. 

His  heart  is  as  firm  as  a  stone; 

Yea,  as  hard  as  a  piece  of  the  nether  millstone. 

When  he  raiseth  up  himself,  the  mighty  are  afraid; 

By  reason  of  breakings  they  purify  themselves. 

The  sword  of  him  that  layeth  at  him  cannot  hold: 

The  spear,  the  dart,  nor  the  habergeon. 

He  esteemeth  iron  as  straw, 

And  brass  as  rotten  wood. 

The  arrow  cannot  make  him  flee: 

Sling  stones  are  turned  with  him  into  stubble. 

Darts  are  counted  as  stubble: 

He  laugheth  at  the  shaking  of  a  spear. 

Sharp  stones  are  under  him: 

He  spreadeth  sharp  pointed  things  upon  the  mire. 

He  maketh  the  deep  to  boil  like  a  pot: 

He  maketh  the  sea  like  a  pot  of  ointment. 

He  maketh  a  path  to  shine  after  him; 

One  would  think  the  deep  to  be  hoary. 

Upon  earth  there  is  not  his  like, 

Who  is  made  without  fear. 

He  beholdeth  all  high  things: 

He  is  a  king  over  all  the  children  of  pride. 

Job  42. 


The  Shipwreck  and  Rescue  of  Paul.  137 


cxx. 

The  Shipwreck  and  Rescue  of  Paul. 

Now  when  much  time  was  spent,  and  when  sail- 
ing was  now  dangerous,  because  the  fast  was  now 
already  past,  Paul  admonished  them,  and  said  unto 
them,  Sirs,  I  perceive  that  this  voyage  will  be  with 
hurt  and  much  damage,  not  only  of  the  lading  and 
ship,  but  also  of  our  lives. 

Nevertheless  the  centurion  believed  the  master 
and  the  owner  of  the  ship,  more  than  those  things 
which  were  spoken  by  Paul. 

And  because  the  haven  was  not  commodious  to 
winter  in,  the  more  part  advised  to  depart  thence 
also,  if  by  any  means  they  might  attain  to  Phenice, 
and  there  to  winter;  which  is  a  haven  of  Crete,  and 
lieth  toward  the  southwest  and  northwest. 

•  And  when  the  south  wind  blew  softly,  supposing 
that  they  had  obtained  their  purpose,  loosing  thence, 
they  sailed  close  by  Crete.  But  not  long  after  there 
arose  against  it  a  tempestuous  wind,  called  Eurocly- 
don.  And  when  the  ship  was  caught,  and  could  not 
bear  up  into  the  wind,  we  let  her  drive. 

And  running  under  a  certain  island  which  is 
called  Clauda,  we  had  much  work  to  come  by  the 
boat:  which  when  they  had  taken  up,  they  used 
helps,  undergirding  the  ship;  and,  fearing  lest  they 
should  fall  into  the  quicksands,  strake  sail,  and  so 
were  driven. 

And  we  being  exceedingly  tossed  with  a  tempest, 
the  next  day  they  lightened  the  ship :  and  the  third 


138          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

day  we  cast  out  with  our  own  hands  the  tackling  of 
the  ship. 

And  when  neither  sun  nor  stars  in  many  days 
appeared,  and  no  small  tempest  lay  on  us,  all  hope 
that  we  should  be  saved  was  then  taken  away. 

But  when  the  fourteenth  night  was  come,  as  we 
were  driven  up  and  down  in  Adria,  about  midnight 
the  shipmen  deemed  that  they  drew  near  to  some 
country;  and  sounded,  and  found  it  twenty  fathoms; 
and  when  they  had  gone  a  little  further,  they 
sounded  again,  and  found  it  fifteen  fathoms.  Then 
fearing  lest  we  should  have  fallen  upon  rocks,  they 
cast  four  anchors  out  of  the  stern,  and  wished  for 
the  day. 

And  when  it  was  day,  they  knew  not  the  land; 
but  they  discovered  a  certain  creek  with  a  shore, 
into  the  which  they  were  minded,  if  it  were  possi- 
ble, to  thrust  in  the  ship.  And  when  they  had  taken 
up  the  anchors,  they  committed  themselves  unto  the 
sea,  and  loosed  the  rudder  bands,  and  hoised  up  the 
mainsail  to  the  wind,  and  made  toward  shore. 

And  falling  into  a  place  where  two  seas  met,  they 
ran  the  ship  aground;  and  the  forepart  stuck  fast, 
and  remained  unmovable,  but  the  hinder  part  was 
broken  with  the  violence  of  the  waves. 

And  the  soldiers'  counsel  was  to  kill  the  pris- 
oners, lest  any  of  them  should  swim  out,  and  escape. 

But  the  centurion,  willing  to  save  Paul,  kept 
them  from  their  purpose;  and  commanded  that  they 
which  could  swim  should  cast  themselves  first  into  the 


Grief  Because  of  a  False  Friend.     139 


sea,  and  get  to  land;  and  the  rest,  some  on  boards, 
and  some  on  broken  pieces  of  the  ship.  And  so  it 
came  to  pass,  that  they  escaped  all  safe  to  land. 

Acts  27: 9-20,  27-29  and  39-44. 


CXXI. 


Grief  Because  of  a  False  Friend. 

Oh  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove  ! 

For  then  would  I  fly  away  and  be  at  rest. 

Lo,  then  would  I  wander  far  off, 

And  remain  in  the  wilderness. 

I  would  hasten  my  escape 

From  the  windy  storm  and  tempest. 

For  it  was  not  an  enemy  that  reproached  me ; 

Then  I  could  have  borne  it: 

Neither  was  it  he  that  hated  me  that  did  magnify 

himself  against  me; 

Then  I  would  have  hid  myself  from  him : 
But  it  was  thou, 
A  man  mine  equal, 
My  guide,  and  mine  acquaintance. 
We  took  sweet  counsel  together, 
And  walked  unto  the  house  of  God  in  company 

As  for  me,  I  will  call  upon  God  ; 
And  the  LORD  shall  save  me. 
Evening,  and  morning, 
And  at  noon,  will  I  pray,  and  cry  aloud : 
And  he  shall  hear  my  voice. 


140         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

He  hath  delivered  my  soul  in  peace 

From  the  battle  that  was  against  me : 

For  there  were  many  with  me. 

God  shall  hear,  and  afflict  them, 

Even  he  that  abideth  of  old. 

Because  they  have  no  changes, 

Therefore  they  fear  not  God. 

He  hath  put  forth  his  hands  against  such  as  be  at 

peace  with  him  : 
He  hath  broken  his  covenant. 

The  words  of  his  mouth  were  smoother  than  butter, 
But  war  was  in  his  heart : 
His  words  were  softer  than  oil, 
Yet  were  they  drawn  swords. 
Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  LORD, 
And  he  shall  sustain  thee  : 
He  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be  moved. 

Psalm  55:  6-8, 12-14, 16-22. 


CXXII. 


"They  Shall  be  My  People." 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass,  iliat  like  as  I  have 
watched  over  them,  to  pluck  up,  and  to  break  down, 
and  to  throw  down,  and  to  destroy,  and  to  afflict ; 
so  will  I  watch  over  them,  to  build,  and  to  plant; 
saith  the  LORD. 

In  those  days  they  shall  say  no  more:  The 
fathers  have  eaten  a  sour  grape,  and  the  children's 
teeth  are  set  on  edge. 

But  every   one  shall   die  for   his  own  iniquity : 


"  They  Shall  be  My  People. "        141 

every  man  that  eateth  the  sour  grape,  his  teeth  shall 
be  set  on  edge. 

Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the  LORD,  that  I 
will  make  a  new  covenant  with  the  house  of  Israel, 
and  with  the  house  of  Judah :  hot  according  to  the 
covenant  that  I  made  with  their  fathers,  in  the  day 
that  I  took  them  by  the  hand  to  bring  them  out 
of  the  land  of  Egypt;  which  my  covenant  they 
break,  although  I  was  a  husband  unto  them,  saith 
the  LORD  :  but  this  shall  be  the  covenant  that  I  will 
make  with  the  house  of  Israel ;  After  those  days, 
saith  the  LORD,  I  will  put  my  law  in  their  inward 
parts,  and  write  it  in  their  hearts  ;  and  will  be  their 
God,  and  they  shall  be  my  people. 

And  they  shall  teach  no  more  every  man  his 
neighbour,  and  every  man  his  brother,  saying,  Know 
the  LORD  :  for  they  shall  all  know  me,  from  the 
least  of  them  unto  the  greatest  of  them,  saith  the 
LORD  :  for  I  will  forgive  their  iniquity,  and  I  will 
remember  their  sin  no  more.  jer.  31:28-34. 

Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you ;  seek,  and  ye 
shall  find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you : 
For  every  one  that  asketh  receiveth ;  and  he  that 
seeketh  findeth ;  and  to  him  that  knocketh  it  shall 
be  opened.  Or  what  man  is  there  of  you,  whom  if 
his  son  ask  bread  ,will  he  give  him  a  stone  ?  Or  if 
he  ask  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a  serpent  ?  If  ye 
then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your  Father 
which  is  in  keaven  give  good  things  to  them  that 
ask  him?  Mat. 77-11. 


142          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


CXXIII. 
Faithful  Instructors.     Repentance. 

When  I  say  unto  the  wicked,  Thou  shalt  surely 
die;  and  thou  givest  him  not  warning,  nor  speakest 
to  warn  the  wicked  from  his  wicked  way,  to  save  his 
life;  the  same  wicked  man  shall  die  in  his  iniquity; 
but  his  blood  will  I  require  at  thine  hand. 

Yet  if  thou  warn  the  wicked,  and  he  turn  not 
from  his  wickedness,  nor  from  his  wicked  way,  he 
shall  die  in  his  iniquity;  but  thou  hast  delivered  thy 
soul. 

Again,  When  a  righteous  man  doth  turn  from 
his  righteousness,  and  commit  iniquity,  and  I  lay  a 
stumbling  block  before  him,  he  shall  die:  because 
thou  hast  not  given  him  warning,  he  shall  die  in  his 
sin,  and  his  righteousness  which  he  hath  done  shall 
not  be  remembered;  but  his  blood  will  I  require  at 
thine  hand. 

Nevertheless,  if  thou  warn  the  righteous  man, 
that  the  righteous  sin  not,  and  he  doth  not  sin,  he 
shall  surely  live,  because  he  is  warned;  also  thou 
hast  delivered  thy  soul.  Ezek  3.  ,8.2I 

When  I  say  unto  the  wicked,  O  wicked  man, 
thou  shalt  surely  die;  if  thou  dost  not  speak  to  warn 
the  wicked  from  his  way,  that  wicked  man  shall  die 
in  his  iniquity;  but  his  blood  will  I  require  at  thine 
hand. 

Nevertheless,  if  thou  warn  the  wicked  of  his  way 
to  turn  from  it;  if  he  do  not  turn  from  his  way,  he 


Faithful  Instructors.    Repentance.    1 43 

shall  die  in  his  iniquity;  but  thou  hast  delivered  thy 
soul. 

Therefore,  O  thou  son  of  man,  speak  unto  the 
house  of  Israel;  Thus  ye  speak,  saying,  If  our  trans- 
gressions and  our  sins  be  upon  us,  and  we  pine  away 
in  them,  how  should  we  then  live?  Say  unto  them, 
As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord  GOD,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
the  death  of  the  wicked;  but  that  the  wicked  turn 
from  his  way  and  live:  turn  ye,  turn  ye  from  your 
evil  way;  for  why  will  ye  die,  O  house  of  Israel? 

Therefore,  thou  son  of  man,  say  unto  the  chil- 
dren of  thy  people,  The  righteousness  of  the  right- 
eous shall  not  deliver  him  in  the  day  of  his  trans- 
gression: as  for  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked,  he 
shall  not  fall  thereby  in  the  day  that  he  turneth 
from  his  wickedness;  neither  shall  the  righteous  be 
able  to  live  for  his  righteousness  in  the  day  that  he 
sinneth. 

When  I  shall  say  to  the  righteous,  that  he  shall 
surely  live;  if  he  trust  to  his  own  righteousness,  and 
commit  iniquity,  all  his  righteousness  shall  not  be 
remembered;  but  for  his  iniquity  that  he  hath  com- 
mitted, he  shall  die  for  it. 

Again,  when  I  say  unto  the  wicked,  Thou  shalt 
surely  die;  if  he  turn  from  his  sin,  and  do  that 
which  is  lawful  and  right;  if  the  wicked  restore  the 
pledge,  give  again  that  he  had  robbed,  walk  in  the 
statutes  of  life,  without  committing  iniquity;  he 
shall  surely  live,  he  shall  not  die.  None  of  his  sins 
that  he  hath  committed  shall  be  mentioned  unto 
him:  he  hath  done  that  which  is  lawful  and  right;  he 
shall  surely  live. 

Yet  the  children  of  thy  people  say,  The  way  of 


144          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

the  Lord  is  not  equal:  but  as  for  them,  their  way  is 
not  equal. 

When  the  righteous  turneth  from  his  righteous- 
ness, and  committed  iniquity,  he  shall  even  die 
thereby. 

But  if  the  wicked  turn  from  his  wickedness,  and 
do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  live 
thereby.  Ezek.  33=8-19. 

CXXIV. 


Value  of  Hope. 

Be  of  good  courage,  and  he  shall  strengthen  your 

heart, 
All  ye  that  hope  in  the  Lord.  Psalm  31 .  24 

//  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope  and 
quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord. 

Lam.  3:  26. 

For  we  are  saved  by  hope:  but  hope  that  is  seen 
is  not  hope:  for  what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  yet 
hope  for? 

But  if  we  hope  for  that  we  see  not,  then  do  we 
with  patience  wait  for  it.  Romans  8:  24.25. 

cxxv. 


Advice  to  an  Entertainer. 


Then  said  he  also  to  him  that  bade  him,  When 
thou  makest  a  dinner  or  a  supper,  call  not  thy 
friends,  nor  thy  brethren,  neither  thy  kinsman,  nor 
thy  rich  neighbours  ;  lest  they  also  bid  thee  again, 
and  a  recompense  be  made  thee. 


Trouble  and  Deliverance.          145 


But  when  thou  makest  a  feast,  call  the  poor,  the 
maimed,  the  lame,  the  blind  :  And  thou  shalt  be 
blessed  ;  for  they  cannot  recompense  thee  :  for  thou 
shalt  be  recompensed  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 

Luke  14: 12-14. 

CXXVI. 


Trouble  and  Deliverance. 


Although  affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust, 

Neither  doth  trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground, 

Yet  man  is  born  unto  trouble, 

As  the  sparks  fly  upward. 

I  would  seek  unto  God, 

And  unto  God  would  I  commit  my  cause  : 

Which  doeth  great  things  and  unsearchable  ; 

Marvellous  things  without  number  : 

Who  giveth  rain  upon  the  earth, 

And  sendeth  waters  upon  the  fields  : 

To  set  up  on  high  those  that  be  low  ; 

That  those  which  mourn  may  be  exalted  to  safety. 

He  disappointeth  the  devices  of  the  crafty, 

So  that  their  hands  cannot  perform  their  enterprise. 

He  taketh  the  wise  in  their  own  craftiness  : 

And  the  counsel  of  the  froward  is  carried  headlong. 

They  meet  with  darkness  in  the  daytime, 

And  grope  in  the  noonday  as  in  the  night. 

But  he  saveth  the  poor  from  the  sword, 

From  their  mouth,  and  from  the  hand  of  the  mighty. 

So  the  poor  hath  hope, 

And  iniquity  stoppeth  her  mouth. 

Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth  : 


146          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Therefore  despise  not  thou  the   chastening  of  the 

Almighty  : 

For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up  : 
He  woundeth,  and  his  hands  make  whole. 
He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles  : 
Yea,  in  seven  there  shall  no  evil  touch  thee. 
In  famine  he  shall  redeem  thee  from  death  : 
And  in  war  from  the  power  of  the  sword. 
Thou  shalt  be  hid  from  the  scourge  of  the  tongue  ; 
Neither  shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  destruction  when  it 

cometh. 

At  destruction  and  famine  thou  shalt  laugh  : 
Neither  shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  the  beasts  of  the 

earth. 
For  thou  shalt  be  in  league  with  the  stones  of  the 

field: 
And  the  beasts  of  the  field  shall  be  at  peace  with 

thee. 

Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  full  age, 
Like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in  in  his  season. 

Job  5:  6-23,  26. 

Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth, 
where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  break  through  and  steal: 

But  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasures  in  heaven, 
where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and 
where  thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal: 

For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart 
be  also.  Matt.  6:19-21. 


Cease  to  do  Evil:  Learn  lo  do  IVell.    147 


CXXVII. 


"Cease  to  do  Evil:  Learn  to  do  Well.' 


Wash  ye,  make  you  clean;  put  away  the  evil  of 
your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes;  cease  to  do 
evil;  learn  to  do  well;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the 
oppressed,  judge  the  fatherless,  plead  for  the  widow. 

Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  saith  the 
Lord:  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be 
as  white  as  snow;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool.  If  ye  be  willing  and  obe- 
dient, ye  shall  eat  the  good  of  the  land:  but  if  ye 
refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured  with  the 
sword:  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

Isaiah  i:  16-20. 

Let  him  that  stole  steal  no  more:  but  rather  let 
him  labor,  working  with  his  hands  the  thing  which 
is  good,  that  he  may  have  to  give  to  him  that  need- 
eth. 

Let  no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out  of  your 
mouth,  but  that  which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying, 
that  it  may  minister  grace  unto  the  hearers. 

Eph.  4:28,  29. 

And  have  no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works 
of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them.  Eph  5.IT 

Let  all  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and 
clamour,  and  evil  speaking,  be  put  away  from  you, 
with  all  malice 

And  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  tender-hearted, 
forgiving  one  another.  Eph  ^ 


148          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

But  the  fruit  of  the  spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith. 

Meekness,  temperance :  against  such  there  is  no 

law.  Gal.  5:  22-23. 

If  ye  fulfil  the  royal  law  according  to  the  Scripture, 
Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself,  ye  do  well : 

Jas.  2:8. 

CXXVIII. 


The  Parable  of  the  Excuses. 

And  when  one  of  them  that  sat  at  meat  with 
him  heard  these  things,  he  said  unto  him,  Blessed  is 
he  that  shall  eat  bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Then  said  he  unto  him,  A  certain  man  made  a 
great  supper,  and  bade  many;  and  sent  his  servant 
at  supper  time  to  say  to  them  that  were  bidden, 
Come;  for  all  things  are  now  ready. 

And  they  all  with  one  consent  began  to  make  ex- 
cuse. The  first  said  unto  him,  I  have  bought  a 
piece  of  ground,  and  I  must  needs  go  and  see  it:  I 
pray  thee  have  me  excused.  And  another  said,  I 
have  bought  five  yoke  of  oxen,  and  I  go  to  prove 
them:  I  pray  thee  have  me  excused.  .... 

So  that  servant  came,  and  showed  his  lord  these 
things.  Then  the  master  of  the  house  being  angry 
said  to  his  servant,  Go  out  quickly  into  the  streets 
and  lanes  of  the  city,  and  bring  in  hither  the  poor, 
and  the  maimed,  and  the  halt  and  the  blind. 

And  the  servant  said,  Lord,  it  is  done  as  thou 
hast  commanded,  and  yet  there  is  room. 

And  the  lord  said  unto  the  servant,  Go  out  into 


The  Deliverer.  149 


the  highways  and  hedges,  and  compel  them  to  come 
in,  that  my  house  may  be  filled.  For  I  say  unto 
you,  That  none  of  those  men  which  were  bidden 
shall  taste  of  my  supper.  Luke  ,4. 15_24- 

CXXIX. 


The  Deliverer. 


I  will  love  thee,  O  Lord,  my  strength. 

The  Lord  is  my  rock,  and  my  fortress,  and  my  de- 
liverer; 

My  God,  my  strength,  in  whom  I  will  trust; 

My  buckler,  and  the  horn  of  my  salvation  and  my 
high  tower. 

I  will  call  upon  the  Lord,  who  is  worthy  to  be  praised: 

So  shall  I  be  saved  from  mine  enemies. 

The  sorrows  of  death  compassed  me, 

And  the  floods  of  ungodly  men  made  me  afraid. 

The  sorrows  of  hell  compassed  me  about: 

The  snares  of  death  prevented  me. 

In  my  distress  I  called  upon  the  Lord, 

And  cried  unto  my  God: 

He  heard  my  voice  out  of  his  temple, 

And  my  cry  came  before  him,  even  into  his  ears. 

Then  the  earth  shook  and  trembled; 

The  foundations  also  of  the  hills  moved 

And  were  shaken,  because  he  was  wroth. 

There  went  up  a  smoke  out  of  his  nostrils, 

And  fire  out  of  his  mouth  devoured: 

Coals  were  kindled  by  it. 

He  bowed  the  heavens  also,  and  came  down: 


1 50         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

And  darkness  was  under  his  feet. 

And  he  rode  upon  a  cherub,  and  did  fly: 

Yea,  he  did  fly  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

He  made  darkness  his  secret  place; 

His  pavilion  round  about  him  were  dark  waters  and 
thick  clouds  of  the  skies. 

At  the  brightness  that  was  before  him  his  thick 
clouds  passed, 

Hail  stones  and  coals  of  fire. 

The  Lord  also  thundered  in  the  heavens, 

And  the  Highest  gave  his  voice; 

Hail  stones  and  coals  of  fire. 

Yea,  he  sent  out  his  arrows,  and  scattered  them; 

And  he  shot  out    lightnings,  and  discomfited  them. 

Then  the  channels  of  waters  were  seen, 

And  the  foundations  of  the  world  were  discovered 

At  thy  rebuke,  O  Lord, 

At  the  blast  of  the  breath  of  thy  nostrils. 

He  sent  from  above,  he  took  me, 

He  drew  me  out  of  many  waters. 

He  delivered  me  from  my  strong  enemy, 

And  from  them  which  hated  me: 

For  they  were  too  strong  for  me. 

They  prevented  me  in  the  day  of  my  calamity: 

But  the  Lord  was  my  stay. 

He  brought  me  forth  also  into  a  large  place; 

He  delivered  me,  because  he  delighted  in  me. 

The  Lord  rewarded  me  according  to  my  righteous- 
ness; 

According  to  the  cleanness  of  my  hands  hath  he 
recompensed  me. 

For  I  have  kept  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 

And  have  not  wickedly  departed  from  my  God. 


The  Deliverer.  1 5 1 


For  all  his  judgments  were  before  me, 

And  I  did  not  put  away  his  statutes  from  me. 

I  was  also  upright  before  him, 

And  I  kept  myself  from  mine  iniquity. 

Therefore  hath  the  Lord  recompensed  me  accord- 
ing to  my  righteousness, 

According  to  the  cleanness  of  my  hands  in  his  eye- 
sight. 

With  the  merciful  thou  wilt  shew  thyself  merciful; 

With  an  upright  man  thou  wilt  shew  thyself  upright; 

With  the  pure  thou  wilt  shew  thyself  pure; 

And  with  the  froward  thou  wilt  shew  thyself  froward. 

For  thou  wilt  save  the  afflicted  people; 

But  wilt  bring  down  high  looks. 

For  thou  wilt  light  my  candle: 

The  Lord  my  God  will  enlighten  my  darkness. 

For  by  thee  I  have  run  through  a  troop; 

And  by  my  God  have  I  leaped  over  a  wall. 

As  for  God  his  way  is  perfect: 

The  word  of  the  Lord  is  tried: 

He  is  a  buckler  to  all  those  that  trust  in  him. 

For  who  is  God  save  the  Lord? 

Or  who  is  a  rock  save  our  God? 

//  is  God  that  girdeth  me  with  strength, 

And  maketh  my  way  perfect. 

Thou  hast  also  given  me  the  shield  of  thy  salvation: 

And  thy  right  hand  hath  holden  me  up, 

And  thy  gentleness  hath  made  me  great. 

Thou  hast  enlarged  my  steps  under  me, 

That  my  feet  did  not  slip. 

The  Lord  liveth;  and  blessed  be  my  Rock; 

And  let  the  God  of  my  salvation  be  exalted. 

Psalm  18 : 1-32,  35-36,  46. 

••  r"T*  '*&* 


1 52          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


cxxx. 


The  Bearer  of  Sorrow,   Weakness  and  Sin. 

Who  hath  believed  our  report?  and  to  whom  is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  revealed?  for  he  shall  grow  up  be- 
fore him  as  a  tender  plant,  and  as  a  root  out  of  a  dry 
ground:  he  hath  no  form  nor  comeliness;  and  when 
we  shall  see  him,  there  is  no  beauty  that  we  should 
desire  him.  He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men; 
a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief:  and  we 
hid  as  it  were  our  faces  from  him;  he  was  despised, 
and  we  esteemed  him  not. 

Surely  he  hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our 
sorrows:  yet  we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of 
God,  and  afflicted.  But  he  was  wounded  for  our 
transgressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities:  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him;  and  with 
his  stripes  we  are  healed.  All  we  like  sheep  have 
gone  astray;  we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own 
way;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of 
us  all. 

He  was  oppressed,  and  he  was  afflicted,  yet  he 
opened  not  his  mouth:  he  is  brought  as  a  lamb  to 
the  slaughter,  and  as  a  sheep  before  her  shearers  is 
dumb,  so  he  openeth  not  his  mouth.  He  was  taken 
from  prison  and  from  judgment:  and  who  shall  de- 
clare his  generation?  for  he  was  cut  off  out  of  the 
land  of  the  living:  for  the  transgression  of  my  peo- 
ple was  he  stricken.  And  he  made  his  grave  with 
the  wicked,  and  with  the  rich  in  his  death;  because 
he  had  done  no  violence,  neither  was  any  deceit  in 
his  mouth. 


The  Voice  in  the  Wilderness.       153 

Yet  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  bruise  him;  he  hath 
put  him  to  grief:  when  thou  shalt  make  his  soul  an 
offering  for  sin,  he  shall  see  his  seed,  he  shall  pro- 
long his  days,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall 
prosper  in  his  hand.  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of 
his  soul,  a?id  shall  be  satisfied:  by  his  knowledge 
shall  my  righteous  servant  justify  many;  for  he 
shall  bear  their  iniquities.  Therefore  will  I  divide 
him  a  portion  with  the  great,  and  he  shall  divide  the 
spoil  with  the  strong;  because  he  hath  poured  out 
his  soul  unto  death:  and  he  was  numbered  with  the 
transgressors;  and  he  bare  the  sin  of  many,  and 
made  intercession  for  the  transgressors. 

Isaiah  53. 

CXXXI. 


The  Voice  in  the  Wilderness. 


The  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the  wilderness, 
Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make  straight  in 
the  desert  a  highway  for  our  God.  Every  valley 
shall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain  and  hill  shall 
be  made  low :  and  the  crooked  shall  be  made 
straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain  :  and  the  glory 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see 
//together:  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

The  voice  said,  Cry.  And  he  said,  What  shall  I 
cry  ?  All  flesh  is  grass,  and  all  the  goodliness 
thereof  is  as  the  flower  of  the  field  :  the  grass 
withereth,  the  flower  fadeth  ;  because  the  spirit  of 
the  Lord  bloweth  upon  it :  surely  the  people  is 
grass.  The  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth ; 
but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  forever. 

Isaiah  40 :  3-8. 


1 54          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Behold,  the  Lord  God  will  come  with  strong 
hand,  and  his  arm  shall  rule  for  him  :  behold,  his 
reward  is  with  him,  and  his  work  before  him.  He 
shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd  :  he  shall  gather 
the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  carry  them  in  his 
bosom. 

Who  hath  measured  the  waters  in  the  hollow  of 
his  hand,  and  meted  out  heaven  with  the  span,  and 
comprehended  the  dust  of  the  earth  in  a  measure, 
and  weighed  the  mountains  in  scales,  and  the  hills 
in  a  balance?  Who  hath  directed  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord,  or  being  his  counsellor  hath  taught  him? 

With  whom  took  he  counsel,  and  who  instructed 
him,  and  taught  him  in  the  path  of  judgment,  and 
taught  him  knowledge,  and  shewed  to  him  the  way 
of  understanding  ? 

Behold,  the  nations  are  as  a  drop  of  a  bucket, 
and  are  counted  as  the  small  dust  of  the  balance  : 
behold,  he  taketh  up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing. 
All  nations  before  him  are  as  nothing  ;  and  they 
are  counted  to  him  less  than  nothing,  and  vanity. 

Isaiah  40 :  1015, 17. 

CXXXII. 


The  Holy  One. 

Have  ye  not  known?  have  ye  not  heard?  hath  it 
not  been  told  you  from  the  beginning?  have  ye  not 
understood  from  the  foundations  of  the  earth? 

//  is  he  that  sitteth  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth, 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof  are  as  grasshoppers  ; 
that  stretcheth  out  the  heavens  as  a  curtain,  and 


The  Holy  One.  155 

spreadeth  them  out  as  a  tent  to  dwell  in  :  that 
bringeth  the  princes  to  nothing  ;  he  maketh  the 
judges  of  the  earth  as  vanity. 

Yea,  they  shall  not  be  planted  ;  yea,  they  shall 
not  be  sown  ;  yea,  their  stock  shall  not  take  root  in 
the  earth  :  and  he  shall  also  blow  upon  them,  and 
they  shall  wither,  and  the  whirlwind  shall  take  them 
away  as  stubble. 

To  whom  then  will  you  liken  me,  or  shall  I  be 
equal?  saith  the  Holy  One. 

Lift  up  your  eyes  on  high,  and  behold  who  hath 
created  these  things,  that  bringeth  out  their  host  by 
number  :  he  calleth  them  all  by  names  by  the  great- 
ness of  his  might,  for  that  he  is  strong  in  power ;  not 
one  faileth. 

Why  sayest  thou,  O  Jacob,  and  speakest,  O 
Israel,  My  way  is  hid  from  the  Lord,  and  my  judg- 
ment is  passed  over  from  my  God? 

Hast  thou  not  known?  hast  thou  not  heard,  that 
the  everlasting  God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the 
ends  of  the  earth,  fainteth  not,  neither  is  weary? 
there  is  no  searching  of  his  understanding. 

He  giveth  power  to  the  faint ;  and  to  them  that 
have  no  might  he  increaseth  strength.  Even  the 
youths  shall  faint  and  be  weary,  and  the  young  men 
shall  utterly  fall  :  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord 
shall  renew  their  strength ;  they  shall  mount  up 
with  wings  as  eagles  ;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be 
weary  ;  and  they  shall  walk,  and  not  faint. 

Isaiah  40 : 21-31. 


156         Readings  from  the  Bible. 


CXXXIII. 

Reconciliation  and  Forgiveness. 

Moreover  if  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against 
thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him 
alone :  if  he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy 
brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear  thee,  then  take  with 
thee  one  or  two  more,  that  in  the  mouth  of  two  or 
three  witnesses  every  word  may  be  established.  And 
if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  *V unto  the  church: 
but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto 
thee  as  a  heathen  man  and  a  publican 

Then  came  Peter  to  him,  and  said,  Lord,  how 
oft  shall  my  brother  sin  against  me,  and  I  forgive 
him?  till  seven  times? 

Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  say  not  unto  thee,  Until 
seven  times:  but,  Until  seventy  times  seven. 

Matt.  18:  15-17,  21-22. 

If  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee,  rebuke  him; 
and  if  he  repent,  forgive  him.  Luke  17:3. 

Brethren,  if  a  man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  ye 
which  are  spiritual,  restore  such  a  one  in  the  spirit 
of  meekness;  considering  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be 
tempted.  Gal.  6-.  i. 

CXXXIV. 


Personal  and  National  Sin  Brings  Calamity. 

Ye  who  turn  judgment  to  wormwood,  and  leave 
off  righteousness  in  the  earth,  seek  him  that  maketh 
the  seven  stars  and  Orion,  and  turneth  the  shadow 


Sin  Brings  Calamity.  157 

of  death  into  the  morning,  and  maketh  the  day  dark 
with  night:  that  calleth  for  the  waters  of  the  sea, 
and  poureth  them  out  upon  the  face  of  the  earth: 
the  Lord  is  his  name :  that  strengthened  the 
spoiled  against  the  strong,  so  that  the  spoiled  shall 
come  against  the  fortress. 

They  hate  him  that  rebuketh  in  the  gate,  and 
they  abhor  him  that  speaketh  uprightly. 

Forasmuch  therefore  as  your  treading  is  upon  the 
poor,  and  ye  take  from  him  burdens  of  wheat:  ye 
have  built  houses  of  hewn  stone,  but  ye  shall  not 
dwell  in  them;  ye  have  planted  pleasant  vineyards, 
but  ye  shall  not  drink  wine  of  them.  For  I  know 
your  manifold  transgressions  and  your  mighty  sins: 
they  afflict  the  just,  they  take  a  bribe,  and  they  turn 
aside  the  poor  in  the  gate  from  their  right.  There- 
fore the  prudent  shall  keep  silence  in  that  time;  for 
it  is  an  evil  time. 

Seek  good,  and  not  evil,  that  ye  may  live:  and 
so  the  Lord,  the  God  of  hosts,  shall  be  with  you,  as 
ye  have  spoken. 

Hate  the  evil,  and  love  the  good,  and  establish 
judgment  in  the  gate:  it  may  be  that  the  Lord  God 
of  hosts  will  be  gracious  unto  the  remnant  of  Jo- 
seph. 

Take  thou  away  from  me  the  noise  of  thy  songs; 
for  I  will  not  hear  the  melody  of  thy  viols.  But  let 
judgment  run  down  as  waters,  and  righteousness  as 
a  mighty  stream.  Amos  5:7.I5<  23, 24. 

Then  one  of  the  twelve,  called  Judas  Iscariot, 
went  unto  the  chief  priests, 

And  said  unto  them,  What  shall  ye  give  me,  and 


1 58          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

I  will  deliver  him  unto  you?  And  they  convenanted 
with  him  for  thirty  pieces  of  silver. 

And  from  that  time  he  sought  opportunity  to 
betray  him.  Mat.  *:  14-16. 

Then  Judas,  which  had  betrayed  him,  when  he 
saw  that  he  was  condemned,  repented  himself,  and 
brought  again  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the  chief 
priests  and  elders, 

Saying,  I  have  sinned  in  that  I  have  betrayed  the 
innocent  blood.  And  they  said,  What  is  that  to  us? 
see  thou  to  that. 

And  he  cast  down  the  pieces  of  silver  in  the 
temple,  and  departed,  and  went  and  hanged  him- 

Matt.  27: 3-5- 

CXXXV. 


Man  Proposes;  God  Disposes. 

And  one  of  the  company  said  unto  him,  Master, 
speak  to  my  brother,  that  he  divide  the  inheritance 
with  me. 

And  he  said  unto  him,  Man,  who  made  me  a  judge 
or  a  divider  over  you? 

And  he  said  unto  them,  Take  heed,  and  beware 
of  covetousness:  for  a  man's  life  consisteth  not  in 
the  abundance  of  the  things  which  he  possesseth. 

And  he  spake  a  parable  unto  them,  saying,  The 
ground  of  a  certain  rich  man  brought  forth  plenti- 
fully: and  he  thought  within  himself,  saying,  What 
shall  I  do,  because  I  have  no  room  where  to  bestow 
my  fruits? 


Woe  Follows  Wickedness.          1 59 


And  he  said,  This  will  I  do:  I  will  pull  down  my 
barns,  and  build  greater;  and  there  will  I  bestow  all 
my  fruits  and  my  goods. 

And  I  will  say  to  my  soul,  Soul,  thou  hast  much 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years;  take  thine  ease,  eat, 
drink,  and  be  merry. 

But  God  said  unto  him,  Thou  fool,  this  night  thy 
soul  shall  be  required  of  thee:  then  whose  shall 
those  things  be,  which  thou  hast  provided? 

So  is  he  that  layeth  up  treasure  for  himself,  and 
is  not  rich  toward  God.  Luke  12: 13-21. 

CXXXVI. 


Woe  Follows  Wickedness. 


Woe  unto  them  that  decree  unrighteous  decrees, 
and  that  write  grievousness  which  they  have  pre- 
scribed: to  turn  aside  the  needy  from  judgment, 
and  to  take  away  the  right  from  the  poor  of  my 
people,  that  widows  may  be  their  prey,  and  that 
they  may  rob  the  fatherless! 

And  what  will  ye  do  in  the  day  of  visitation, 
and  in  the  desolation  which  shall  come  from  far?  to 
whom  will  ye  flee  for  help?  and  where  will  ye  leave 

your  glory?  Isaiah  10:  1-3. 

Woe  unto  them  that  call  evil  good,  and  good 
evil;  that  put  darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  dark- 
ness; that  put  bitter  for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter! 

Woe  unto  them  that  are  wise  in  their  own  eyes, 
and  prudent  in  their  own  sight! 

Woe  unto  them  that  are  mighty  to   drink   wine, 


160          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

and  men  of  strength  to  mingle  strong  drink :  which 
justify  the  wicked  for  reward,  and  take  away  the 
righteousness  of  the  righteous  from  him! 

Therefore  as  the  fire  devoureth  the  stubble,  and 
the  flame  consumeth  the  chaff,  so  their  root  shall  be 
as  rottenness,  and  their  blossom  shall  go  up  as  dust: 
because  they  have  cast  away  the  law  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  and  despised  the  word  of  the  Holy  One  of 

Israel.  Isaiah  5:  20-30. 

Then  began  he  to  upbraid  the  cities  wherein  most 
of  his  mighty  works  were  done,  because  they  re- 
pented not: 

Woe  unto  thee,  Chorazin!  woe  unto  thee,  Beth- 
saida !  for  if  the  mighty  works,  which  were  done  in 
you,  had  been  done  in  Tyre  and  Sidon,  they  would 
have  repented  long  ago  in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 

But  I  say  unto  you,  It  shall  be  more  tolerable 
for  Tyre  and  Sidon  at  the  day  of  judgment  than  for 
you. 

And  thou,  Capernaum,  which  art  exalted  unto 
heaven,  shalt  be  brought  down  to  hell:  for  if  the 
mighty  works,  which  have  been  done  in  thee,  had 
been  done  in  Sodom,  it  would  have  remained  until 
this  day. 

But  I  say  unto  you,  That  it  shall  be  more  toler- 
able for  the  land  of  Sodom  in  the  day  of  judgment, 
than  for  thee.  Matt.  11:20-24. 


Sin  and  the  Power  that  Removes  it.    \  6 1 


CXXXVII. 


Sin  and  the  Power  that  Removes  it. 


Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord,  and 
bow  myself  before  the  high  God? 

He  hath  shewed  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good  ;  and 
what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly, 
and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy 
God? 

The  Lord's  voice  crieth  unto  the  city. 

Are  there  yet  the  treasures  of  wickedness  in  the 
house  of  the  wicked,  and  the  scant  measure  that  is 
abominable? 

Shall  I  count  them  pure  with  the  wicked  balances, 
and  with  the  bag  of  deceitful  weights? 

For  the  rich  men  thereof  are  full  of  violence, 
and  the  inhabitants  thereof  have  spoken  lies,  and 
their  tongue  is  deceitful  in  their  mouth. 

Therefore  also  will  I  make  thee  sick  in  smiting 
thee,  in  making  thee  desolate  because  of  thy  sins. 

Micah  6:  6,  8-14, 

Rejoice  not  against  me,  O  mine  enemy  ;  when  I 
fall,  I  shall  arise  ;  when  I  sit  in  darkness,  the  Lord 
shall  be  a  light  unto  me.  I  will  bear  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  Lord,  because  I  have  sinned  against  him, 
until  he  plead  my  cause,  and  execute  judgment  for 
me  :  he  will  bring  me  forth  to  the  light,  and  I  shall 
behold  his  righteousness. 

Who  is  a  God  like   unto  thee,  that  pardoneth 


1 62          Readings  from  the  Bible. 


iniquity,  and  passeth  by  the  transgression  of  the 
remnant  of  his  heritage?  he  retaineth  not  his  anger 
for  ever,  because  he  delighteth  in  mercy.  He  will 
turn  again,  he  will  have  compassion  upon  us  ;  he  will 
subdue  our  iniquities  ;  and  thou  wilt  cast  all  their 
sins  into  the  depths  of  the  sea.  Micah7:8-9, 18-19. 

CXXXVIII. 


The  Tongue. 

For  in  many  things  we  offend  all.  If  any  man 
offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man,  and 
able  also  to  bridle  the  whole  body. 

Behold,  we  put  bits  in  the  horses'  mouths,  that 
they  may  obey  us;  and  we  turn  about  their  whole 
body. 

Behold  also  the  ships,  which  though  they  be  so 
great,  and  are  driven  of  fierce  winds,  yet  are  they 
turned  about  with  a  very  small  helm,  whithersoever 
the  governor  listeth.  Even  so  the  tongue  is  a  little 
member,  and  boasteth  great  things.  Behold,  how 
great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth! 

And  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity:  so 
is  the  tongue  among  our  members,  that  it  defileth 
the  whole  body,  and  setteth  on  fire  the  course  of 
nature;  and  it  is  set  on  fire  of  hell.  For  every  kind 
of  beasts,  and  of  birds,  and  of  serpents,  and  of 
things  in  the  sea,  is  tamed,  and  hath  been  tamed  of 
mankind:  but  the  tongue  can  no  man  tame;  it  is  an 
unruly  evil,  full  of  deadly  poison.  Therewith  bless 
we  God,  even  the  Father;  and  therewith  curse  we 


Peace  or  Strife.  163 

men,  which  are  made  after  the  similitude  of  God. 
Out  of  the  same  mouth  proceedeth  blessing  and 
cursing.  My  brethren,  these  things  ought  not  so 
to  be. 

Doth  a  fountain  send  forth  at  the  same  place 
sweet  water  and  bitter? 

Can  the  fig  tree,  my  brethren,  bear  olive  berries? 
either  a  vine,  figs?  so  can  no  fountain  both  yield 
salt  water  and  fresh.  James3:2-i2. 

CXXXIX. 


Peace  or  Strife. 

Who  is  a  wise  man  and  endued  with  knowledge 
among  you?  let  him  shew  out  of  a  good  conversa- 
tion his  works  with  meekness  of  wisdom. 

But  if  ye  have  bitter  envying  and  strife  in  your 
hearts,  glory  not,  and  lie  not  against  the  truth.  This 
wisdom  descendeth  not  from  above,  but  is  earthly, 
sensual,  devilish.  For  where  envying  and  strife  is, 
there  is  confusion  and  every  evil  work. 

But  the  wisdom  that  is  from  above  is  first  pure, 
then  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full 
of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  partiality,  and 
without  hypocrisy. 

And  the  fruit  of  righteousness  is  sown  in  peace 
of  them  that  make  peace.  James3:i3-i8. 


1 64         Readings  from  the  Bible. 


CXL. 


A  Lofty  Ambition. 

In  Gibeon  the  LORD  appeared  to  Solomon  in  a 
dream  by  night :  and  God  said,  Ask  what  I  shall 
give  thee. 

And  Solomon  said,  Thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy 
servant  David  my  father  great  mercy,  according  as 
he  walked  before  thee  in  truth,  and  in  righteousness, 
and  in  uprightness  of  heart  with  thee ;  and  thou  hast 
kept  for  him  this  great  kindness,  that  thou  hast 
given  him  a  son  to  sit  on  his  throne,  as  it  is  this  day. 

And  now,  O  LORD  my  God,  thou  hast  made  thy 
servant  king  instead  of  David  my  father :  and  I  am 
but  a  little  child :  I  know  not  how  to  go  out  or  come 
in.  And  thy  servant  is  in  the  midst  of  thy  people 
which  thou  hast  chosen,  a  great  people,  that  cannot 
be  numbered  nor  counted  for  multitude.  Give  there- 
fore thy  servant  an  understanding  heart  to  judge  thy 
people,  that  I  may  discern  between  good  and  bad : 
for  who  is  able  to  judge  this  thy  so  great  a  people  ? 

And  the  speech  pleased  the  Lord,  that  Solomon 
had  asked  this  thing.  And  God  said  unto  him, 
Because  thou  hast  asked  this  thing,  and  hast  not 
asked  for  thyself  long  life ;  neither  hast  asked  riches 
for  thyself,  nor  hast  asked  the  life  of  thine  enemies ; 
but  hast  asked  for  thyself  understanding  to  discern 
judgment;  behold,  I  have  done  according  to  thy 
word :  lo,  I  have  given  thee  a  wise  and  an  under- 
standing heart;  so  that  there  was  none  like  thee 
before  thee,  neither  after  thee  shall  any  arise  like 


Compassion  and  Ingratitude.       1 6  5 

unto  thee.  And  I  have  also  given  thee  that  which 
thou  hast  not  asked,  both  riches,  and  honour :  so 
that  there  shall  not  be  any  among  the  kings  like 
unto  thee  all  thy  days.  And  if  thou  wilt  walk  in  my 
ways,  to  keep  my  statutes  and  my  commandments, 
as  thy  father  David  did  walk,  then  I  will  lengthen 
thy  days. 

And    Solomon   awoke;    and,   behold,   it  was   a 
dream.  i  Kings  3: 5-15- 

CXLI. 


Compassion  and  Ingratitude. 

Therefore  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  likened 
unto  a  certain  king,  which  would  take  account  of 
his  servants.  And  when  he  had  begun  to  reckon, 
one  was  brought  unto  him,  which  owed  him  ten 
thousand  talents.  But  forasmuch  as  he  had  not  to 
pay,  his  lord  commanded  him  to  be  sold,  and  his 
wife,  and  children,  and  all  that  he  had,  and  pay- 
ment to  be  made. 

The  servant  therefore  fell  down,  and  worshipped 
him,  saying,  Lord,  have  patience  with  me  and  I  will 
pay  thee  all.  Then  the  lord  of  that  servant  was 
moved  with  compassion,  and  loosed,  him,  and  for- 
gave him  the  debt. 

But  the  same  servant  went  out,  and  found  one  of 
his  fellow  servants,  which  owed  him  a  hundred 
pence:  and  he  laid  hands  on  him,  and  took  him  by 
the  throat,  saying,  Pay  me  that  thou  owest. 

And  his  fellow  servant  fell  down  at  his  feet,  and 


1 66         Readings  from  the  Bible. 


besought  him,  saying,  Have  patience  with  me  and 
I  will  pay  thee  all. 

And  he  would  not:  but  went  and  cast  him  into 
prison,  till  he  should  pay  the  debt. 

So  when  his  fellow  servants  saw  what  was  done, 
they  were  very  sorry,  and  came  and  told  unto  their 
lord  all  that  was  done. 

Then  his  lord,  after  he  had  called  him,  said  unto 
him,  O  thou  wicked  servant,  I  forgave  thee  all  that 
debt,  because  thou  desiredst  me:  shouldest  not  thou 
also  have  had  compassion  on  thy  fellow  servant, 
even  as  I  had  pity  on  thee? 

And  his  lord  was  wroth,  and  delivered  him  to 
his  tormentors,  till  he  should  pay  all  that  was  due 
unto  him. 

So  likewise  shall  my  heavenly  Father  do  also 
unto  you,  if  ye  from  your  hearts  forgive  not  every 
one  his  brother  their  trespasses.  Matt.  18:23-35. 


CXLII. 

Personal  and  National  Virtue  Brings  Prosperity. 

For  if  ye  thoroughly  amend  your  ways  and  your 
doings;  if  ye  thoroughly  execute  judgment  between 
a  man  and  his  neighbour;  if  ye  oppress  not  the 
stranger,  the  fatherless,  and  the  widow,  and  shed 
not  innocent  blood  in  this  place,  neither  walk  after 
other  gods  to  your  hurt;  then  will  I  cause  you  to 
dwell  in  this  place,  in  the  land  that  I  gave  to  your 
fathers,  for  ever  and  ever.  jer.  7.5-7, 23. 


Finite  as  compared  with  Infinite.     167 

Obey  my  voice,  and  I  will  be  your  God,  and  ye 
shall  be  my  people;  and  walk  ye  in  all  the  ways  that 
I  have  commanded  you,  that  it  may  be  well  unto 
you. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord,  Let  not  the  wise  man  glory 
in  his  wisdom,  neither  let  the  mighty  man  glory  in 
his  might,  let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches: 
but  let  him  that  glorieth  glory  in  this,  that  he 
understandeth  and  knoweth  me,  that  I  am  the  Lord 
which  exercise  loving  kindness,  judgment,  and 
righteousness,  in  the  earth;  for  in  these  things  I  de- 
light, saith  the  Lord.  jer.  9:23-24. 

//  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps. 

O  Lord,  correct  me,  but  with  judgment;  not  in 
thine  anger,  lest  thou  bring  me  to  nothing. 

Jer.  10:23-24. 

CXLIII. 


The  Finite  as  Compared  with  the  Infinite. 

How  should  man  be  just  with  God? 

If  he  will  contend  with  him, 

He  cannot  answer  him  one  of  a  thousand. 

He  is  wise  in  heart,  and  mighty  in  strength; 

Who  hath  hardened  himself  against  him,  and  hath 

prospered? 

Which  removeth  the  mountains,  and  they  know  not; 
Which  overturneth  them  in  his  anger; 
Which  shaketh  the  earth  out  of  her  place, 
And  the  pillars  thereof  tremble; 
Which  commandeth  the  sun,  and  it  riseth  not; 


1 68          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

And  sealeth  up  the  stars; 

Which  alone  spreadeth  out  the  heavens, 

And  treadeth  upon  the  waves  of  the  sea; 

Which  maketh  Arcturus,  Orion  and  Pleiades, 

And  the  chambers  of  the  south; 

Which  doeth  great  things  past  rinding  out; 

Yea,  and  wonders  without  number. 

Lo,  he  goeth  by  me,  and  I  see  him  not: 

He  passeth  on  also,  but  I  perceive  him  not. 

Behold,  he  taketh  away,  who  can  hinder  him? 

Who  will  say  unto  him,  What  doest  thou? 

How  much  less  shall  I  answer  him, 

And  choose  out  my  words  to  reason  with  him? 

Whom,  though   I  were  righteous,  yet  would  I  not 

answer, 
But  I  would  make  supplication  to  my  judge. 

If  I  speak  of  strength,  lo,  he  is  strong; 

And  if  of  judgment,  who  shall  set  me  a  time  to  plead? 

If  I  justify  myself,  mine  own  mouth  shall  condemn 
me: 

If  I  say  I  am  perfect,  it  shall  also  prove  me  per- 
verse. 

Though  I  were  perfect,  yet  would  I  not  know  my  soul: 

For  he  is  not  a  man,  as  I  am,  that  I   should   answer 

him, 

And  we  should  come  together  in  judgment. 
Neither  is  there  any  daysman  betwixt  us, 
That  might  lay  his  hand  upon  us  both. 

job  9;  2-12, 14-15,19-21, 32.33- 


In  the  Last  Days.  169 

Canst  thou  by  searching  find  out  God  ? 

Canst  thou  find  out  the  Almighty  unto  perfection? 

It  is  as  high  as  heaven;  what  canst  thou  do? 

Deeper  than  hell;  what  canst  thou  know? 

The  measure  thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth, 

And  broader  than  the  sea.  job  11:7-9. 

CXLIV. 


In  the  Last  Days. 

Behold,  I  will  send  my  messenger,  and  he  shall 
prepare  the  way  before  me  :  and  the  Lord,  whom  ye 
seek,  shall  suddenly  come  to  his  temple,  even  the 
messenger  of  the  covenant,  whom  ye  delight  in  : 
behold,  he  shall  come,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

But  who  may  abide  the  day  of  his  coming?  and 
who  shall  stand  when  he  appeareth?  for  he  is  like  a 
refiner's  fire,  and  like  fullers'  soap  :  and  he  shall  sit 
as  a  refiner  and  purifier  of  silver  :  and  he  shall  purify 
the  sons  of  Levi,  and  purge  them  as  gold  and 
silver,  that  they  may  offer  unto  the  Lord  an  offer- 
ing in  righteousness. 

Then  shall  the  offering  of  Judah  and  Jerusalem 
be  pleasant  unto  the  Lord,  as  in  the  days  of  old,  and 
as  in  former  years. 

And  I  will  come  near  to  you  to  judgment :  and 
I  will  be  a  swift  witness  against  the  sorcerers,  and 
against  the  adulterers,  and  against  false  swearers, 
and  against  those  that  oppress  the  hireling  in  his 
wages,  the  widow,  and  the  fatherless,  and  that  turn 
aside  the  stranger  from  his  right,  and  fear  not  me, 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  Mai.  3:1-5. 


1 70         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Your  words  have  been  stout  against  me,  saith  the 
Lord.  Yet  ye  say,  What  have  we  spoken  so  much 
against  thee? 

Ye  have  said,  It  is  vain  to  serve  God  :  and  what 
profit  is  it  that  we  have  kept  his  ordinance,  and  that 
we  have  walked  mournfully  before  the  Lord  of 
hosts? 

And  now  we  call  the  proud  happy  ;  yea,  they 
that  work  wickedness  are  set  up  ;  yea,  they  that 
tempt  God  are  even  delivered. 

Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spake  often  one 
to  another  :  and  the  Lord  hearkened,  and  heard  it, 
and  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before  him 
for  them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought 
upon  his  name.  And  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the 
Lord  of  hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my 
jewels  ;  and  I  will  spare  them,  as  a  man  spareth  his 
own  son  that  serveth  him.  Then  shall  ye  return, 
and  discern  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked, 
between  him  that  serveth  God  and  him  that  serveth 
him  not.  Mai.  3: 13-18. 

CXLV. 


Praying  Without  Meaning. 

Keep  thy  foot  when  thou  goest  to  the  house  of 
God,  and  be  more  ready  to  hear,  than  to  give  the 
sacrifice  of  fools  :  for  they  consider  not  that  they  do 
evil. 

Be  not  rash  with  thy  mouth,  and  let  not  thine 
heart  be  hasty  to  utter  any  thing  before  God  :  for 


Mysteries  of  Nature. — /.          1 7  < 


God  is  in  heaven,  and  them  upon  earth  :  therefore 
let  thy  words  be  few.  For  a  dream  cometh  through 
the  multitude  of  business  :  and  a  fool's  voice  is 
known  by  multitude  of  words. 

When  thou  vowest  a  vow  unto  God,  defer  not  to 
pay  it ;  for  he  hath  no  pleasure  in  fools  :  pay  that 
which  thou  hast  vowed. 

Better  is  it  that  thou  shouldest  not  vow,  than 
that  thou  shouldest  vow  and  not  pay. 

Eccl.5:i-5. 


CXLVI. 


Mysteries  of  Nature. — /. 

Then  the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind, 

and  said, 

Who  is  this  that  darkeneth  counsel 
By  words  without  knowledge? 
Gird  up  now  thy  loins  like  a  man; 
For  I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  answer  thou  me. 
Where  wast  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the 

earth? 

Declare,  if  thou  hast  understanding. 
Who  hath  laid  the  measures  thereof,  if  thou  know- 

est? 

Or  who  hath  stretched  the  line  upon  it? 
Whereupon  are  the  foundations  thereof  fastened? 
Or  who  laid  the  corner  stone  thereof? 
When  the  morning  stars  sang  together, 
And  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy? 


1 72          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Hast  thou  commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days; 
And  caused  the  dayspring  to  know  his  place; 


Hast  thou  entered  into  the  springs  of  the  sea? 
Or  hast  thou  walked  in  the  search  of  the  depth? 
Have  the  gates  of  death  been  opened  unto  thee? 
Or   hast   thou    seen    the   doors   of   the   shadow  of 

death? 

Hast  thou  perceived  the  breadth  of  the  earth? 
Declare  if  thou  knowest  it  all. 
Where  is  the  way  where  light  dwelleth? 
And  as  for  darkness,  where  is  the  place  thereof, 
That  thou  shouldest  take  it  to  the  bound  thereof, 
And  that   thou    shouldest   know    the  paths  to   the 

house  thereof? 

Knowest  thou  it,  because  thou  wast  then  born? 
Or  because  the  number  of  thy  days  is  great? 
Hast  thou  entered  into  the  treasures  of  the  snow? 
Or  hast  thou  seen  the  treasures  of  the  hail, 
Which  I  have  reserved  against  the  time  of  trouble, 
Against  the  day  of  battle  and  war? 
By  what  way  is  the  light  parted, 
Which  scattereth  the  east  wind  upon  the  earth? 
Who  hath  divided  a  watercourse  for  the  overflowing 

of  waters, 

Or  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  thunder; 
To  cause  it  to  rain  on  the  earth,  where  no  man  is; 
On  the  wilderness,  wherein  there  is  no  man; 
To  satisfy  the  desolate  and  waste  ground: 
And  to  cause  the  bud  of  the  tender  herb  to  spring 

forth? 
Canst  thou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades, 


Mysteries  of  Nature. — //.          1 73 

Or  loose  the  bands  of  Orion? 

Canst  thou  bring  forth  Mazzaroth  in  his  season? 

Or  canst  thou  guide  Arcturus  with  his  sons? 

Knowest  thou  the  ordinances  of  heaven? 

Canst  thou  set  the  dominion  thereof  in  the  earth? 

Canst  thou  lift  up  thy  voice  to  the  clouds, 

That  abundance  of  waters  may  cover  thee? 

Canst  thou  send  lightnings,  that  they  may  go, 

And  say  unto  thee,  Here  we  are? 

Who  hath  put  wisdom  in  the  inward  parts? 

Or  who  hath  given  understanding  to  the  heart? 

Who  can  number  the  clouds  in  wisdom? 

Or  who  can  stay  the  bottles  of  heaven, 

When  the  dust  groweth  into  hardness, 

And  the  clods  cleave  fast  together? 

Wilt  thou  hunt  the  prey  for  the  lion? 

Or  fill  the  appetite  of  the  young  lions, 

When  they  couch  in  their  dens, 

And  abide  in  the  covert  to  lie  in  wait? 

Who  provideth  for  the  raven  his  food? 

When  his  young  ones  cry  unto  God, 

They  wander  for  lack  of  meat.    Job  #.  I<7§  12,  l6.27, 3I.4I. 


CXLVII. 


Mysteries  of  Nature. — 77. 


Will  the  unicorn  be  willing  to  serve  thee, 
Or  abide  by  thy  crib? 

Canst  thou  bind  the  unicorn  with  his  band  in  the 
furrow  ? 


1 74          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Or  will  he  harrow  the  valleys  after  thee? 

Wilt  thou  trust  him,  because  his  strength  is  great? 

Or  wilt  thou  leave  thy  labour  to  him? 

Wilt  thou  believe  him,  that  he  will  bring  home  thy 

seed, 

And  gather  it  into  thy  barn? 

Gavest  thou  the  goodly  wings  unto  the  peacocks? 
Or  wings  and  feathers  unto  the  ostrich? 
Which  leaveth  her  eggs  in  the  earth, 
And  warmeth  them  in  the  dust, 
And  forgetteth  that  the  foot  may  crush  them, 
Or  that  the  wild  beast  may  break  them. 

Hast  thou  given  the  horse  strength? 

Hast  thou  clothed  his  neck  with  thunder? 

Canst  thou  make  him  afraid  as  a  grasshopper? 

The  glory  of  his  nostrils  is  terrible. 

He    paweth    in    the    valley,    and    rejoiceth     in    his 

strength: 

He  goeth  on  to  meet  the  armed  men. 
He  mocketh  at  fear,  and  is  not  affrighted; 
Neither  turneth  he  back  from  the  sword. 

Doth  the  hawk  fly  by  thy  wisdom, 

And  stretch  her  wings  toward  the  south? 

Doth  the  eagle  mount  up  at  thy  command, 

And  make  her  nest  on  high? 

She  dwelleth  and  abideth  on  the  rock, 

Upon  the  crag  of  the  rock,  and  the  strong  place. 

From  thence  she  seeketh  the  prey, 

And  her  eyes  behold  afar  off. 

Her  young  ones  also  suck  up  blood: 

And  where  the  slain  are,  there  is  she? 

Job  y):  9-15, 19-21,26-30. 


Mysteries  of  Nature. — 77.          1 75 

Moreover  the  Lord  answered  Job,  and  said, 

Shall  he  that  contendeth  with  the  Almighty  instruct 

him? 

He  that  reproveth  God,  let  him  answer  it. 
Then  Job  answered  the  Lord,  and  said, 
Behold,  I  am  vile;  what  shall  I  answer  thee? 
I  will  lay  mine  hand  upon  my  mouth. 
Once  have  I  spoken;  but  I  will  not  answer: 
Yea,  twice;  but  I  will  proceed  no  further. 

Then  answered  the   Lord    unto  Job  out  of  the 
whirlwind  and  said, 
Gird  up  thy  loins  now  like  a  man: 
I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 
Wilt  thou  also  disannul  my  judgment? 
Wilt    thou    condemn    me,    that    thou    mayest    be 

righteous? 

Hast  thou  an  arm  like  God? 
Or  canst  thou  thunder  with  a  voice  like  him? 
Deck  thyself  now  with  majesty  and  excellency; 
And  array  thyself  with  glory  and  beauty. 
Cast  abroad  the  rage  of  thy  wrath: 
And  behold  every  one  that  is  proud,  and  abase  him. 
Look  on  every  one  that  is  proud,  and  bring  him  low; 
And  tread  down  the  wicked  in  their  place. 
Hide  them  in  the  dust  together; 
And  bind  their  faces  in  secret. 
Then  will  I  also  confess  unto  thee 
That  thine  own  right  hand  can  save  thee. 

Job  40: 1-14. 

Then  Job  answered  the  Lord,  and  said, 
I  know  that  thou  canst  do  every  thing, 
And  that  no  thought  can  be  withholden  from  thee. 
Who  is  he  that  hideth  counsel  without  knowledge? 


1 76          Readings  from  the  Bible. 

Therefore  have  I  uttered  that  I  understood  not; 
Things  too  wonderful  for  me,  which  I  knew  not. 
Hear,  I  beseech  thee,  and  I  will  speak: 
I  will  demand  of  thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 
I  have  heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear;  but 

now  mine  eye  seeth  thee: 
Wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and 

ashes.  job  42: 1-6. 

CXLVIII. 


A  Message  to  the  Young. 

Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years 
draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure 
in  them;  while  the  sun,  or  the  light,  or  the  moon, 
or  the  stars,  be  not  darkened,  nor  the  clouds  return 
after  the  rain:  in  the  day  when  the  keepers  of  the 
house  shall  tremble,  and  the  strong  men  shall  bow 
themselves,  and  the  grinders  cease  because  they  are 
few,  and  those  that  look  out  of  the  windows  be 
darkened,  and  the  doors  shall  be  shut  in  the 
streets,  when  the  sound  of  the  grinding  is  low,  and 
he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of  the  bird,  and  all  the 
daughters  of  music  shall  be  brought  low;  also  when 
they  shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is  high,  and  fears 
shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond  tree  shall  flour- 
ish, and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a  burden,  and 
desire  shall  fail;  because  man  goeth  to  his  long 
home,  and  the  mourners  go  about  the  streets:  or 
ever  the  silver  cord  be  loosed,  or  the  golden  bowl 


The  Greatest  Thing  in  the  IVorld.    177 

be  broken,  or  the  pitcher  be  broken  at  the  fountain, 
or  the  wheel  broken  at  the  cistern. 

Then  shall  the  dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was: 
and  the  spirit  shall  return  unto  God  who  gave  it. 

Eccl.  12:  1-7. 


CXLIX. 


The  Greatest  Thing  in  the  World. 

Though  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men  and  of 
angels  and  have  not  charity,  I  am  become  as  sound- 
ing brass,  or  a  tinkling  cymbal.  And  though  I  have 
the  gift  of  prophecy,  and  understand  all  mysteries, 
and  all  knowledge ;  and  though  I  have  all  faith,  so 
that  I  could  remove  mountains,  and  have  not  charity, 
I  am  nothing.  And  though  I  bestow  all  my  goods 
to  feed  the  poor,  and  though  I  give  my  body  to  be 
burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  me  nothing. 

Charity  suffereth  long,  and  is  kind ;  charity  en- 
vieth  not ;  chanty  vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed 
up,  doth  not  behave  itself  unseemly,  seeketh  not 
her  own,  is  not  easily  provoked,  thinketh  no  evil ; 
rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth ; 
beareth  all  things,  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all 
things,  endureth  all  things. 

Charity  never  faileth  :  but  whether  there  be  proph- 
ecies they  shall  fail ;  whether  there  be  tongues,  they 
shall  cease ;  whether  there  be  knowledge,  it  shall 
vanish  away.  For  we  know  in  part,  and  we  prophesy 
in  part.  But  when  that  which  is  perfect  is  come, 
then  that  which  is  in  part  shall  be  done  away. 


178         Readings  from  the  Bible. 

When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child,  I  under- 
stood as  a  child,  I  thought  as  a  child :  but  when  I 
became  a  man  I  put  away  childish  things. 

For  now  we  see  through  a  glass,  darkly;  but 
then  face  to  face :  now  I  know  in  part ;  but  then 
shall  I  know  even  as  also  I  am  known. 

And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three  ; 
but  the  greatest  of  these  is  charity.  x  Cor.  13. 


CL. 


Summary. 

Let  us  hear  the  conclusion  of  the  whole  matter : 
Fear  God,  and  keep  his  commandments ;  for  this  is 
the  whole  duty  of  man. 

For  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment, 
with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or 
whether  it  be  evil.  Ecci.  12=  8-14. 

Although  the  fig  tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither 
shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines ;  the  labour  of  the  olive 
shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no  meat;  the 
flock  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  fold,  and  there  shall  be 
no  herds  in  the  stalls :  yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation.  Hab  3.  17.l8 

The  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee :  the  Lord 
make  his  face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious 
unto  thee :  the  Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon 
thee,  and  give  thee  peace.  Num.  6: 


Summary.  179 


Now  unto  him  that  is  able  to  keep  you  from  fall- 
ing, and  to  present  you  faultless  before  the  presence 
of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy, 

To  the  only  wise  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  and 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both  now  and  ever. 
Amen.  Jude  i:  ^ 


TOPICAL  INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Age,  The  Golden,  CXV,  Is.  35       .                        .  i3I 

Almsgiving,  XII,  Prov.  22:9-10  26 

Aspirations,  Noble,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:6  35 

Benevolence,  XVII,  Ps.  41:1-2;  15.32:8  29 

Bible,  Influence  of  the,  XCVIII,  Ps.  119:97-105  109-110 

Blessed,  The,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:3-12,  35 

XCIX,  Prov.  8:32-31   -  112 

Blessing,  XIV,  Psalm  34:10  28 

Brothers,  The  Two,  XCII,  Gen.  4:2-12  -       102-103 

Calamity,  National,  XC,  Jer.  5:21-31  103-104 

Children,  Instruction  of,  XC,  Deut.  11:19  -  i°2 

Children  Blessed,  II,  Mark  10:13-16  17 

Character,  CII,  Ps.  119:  1-13;  29-37  -  -  115-116 
Choice,  Solomon's  Sleeping  and  Waking,  CXL,  ist 

Kings  3:5-15  .  164-165 

Clouds,  XI,  Eccl.  11:4  25 

Comforter,  The,  LXXXI,  Is.  61 : 1-2  91 

Commandments,  XX,  Ex.  20:3-17;  31-32 

XCV,  Rom.  13:9  -  107 
Commandments,  The  Two  Great,  XCVII,  Matt.  22:37- 

40  109 

Compassion,  CXLI,  Matt.  18:23-35  165-166 
Conclusion,  CL,  Eccl.  12:8-14;  Hab.  3:17-18;  Num. 6:24- 

26;Jude  1-26  -  -  179 

Confession,  Contrition,  LXV,  Psalm  51:1-2,  10-17  -  74 

Confidence  in  God,  XLIII,  Psalm  146  •  -  54-55 

Contentment,  XXXVI,  ist  Timothy  6:6-8  -  50 

Contrition,  X,  Psalm  34:18  24 

180 


Topical  Index.  181 


Covetousness,  XX,  Ex.  20:17   -  32 

Covetousness  Disappointing,  CXXXV,  Luke  12:13  21  158-159 
Creator,  Remembrance  of,  CXLVIII,  Eccl.  12:1-7  176-177 

Debts,  XCV,  Rom.  13:8  -         107 

Deceit,  VII,  Prov.  12:20;  ii  :i8  22 

Defender,  The  Great,  LXXXIX,  Psalm  27:1-3  -  -  99-100 

Delight  in  God's  Law,  VIII,  Psalm  i  :2  23 

Deliverance  from  Trouble,  CXXVI,  Job  5:6-23,  26  145-146 

for  the  Poor,  LXXXVII,  Psalm  72:12-14  97-  98 

Diligence,  IV,  Prov.  10:4:  12:24;  2O:5?  22:29  19 

Dreams,  Joseph's,  XXVI,  Gen.  37:3-14    -  -  37-  38 

Pharaoh's,  XXIX,  Gen.  41  :i-i6       -            -  40-  41 

Interpretation  of,  Gen.  41:17-36  -  42-  43 

Encouragement,  XV,  Ps.  46:1-3,  Is.  26:2-4541:10          -     28-  29 

CXXXVII,  Micah  6:6,  8-14;  758-9,18  161-162 

Evening,  III,  Psalm  4:8      •  18 

XI,  Eccl.  ii  :6  25 

Evil,  X,  Psalm  34:11-22       -  24 

to  be  put  away,  CXXVII,  Is.  1:16-20,  Eph.  4:28- 

29,  31;  Eph.  5:11;  Gal.  5:22-23;  Jas.  2:8  -        147-148 

Excuses,  Unworthy,  CXXVIII,  Luke  14:15-24        -         148-149 

Failure,  VIII,  Psalm  1 14-6  -  .  23 

Faith,  CIII,  Psalm  37:3-11  -  117 

Faithfulness— Story  of  Ruth,  LXXI,  LXXII;  Ruth 

1:1-11  14-18,  23;  Ruth  2:1-8,  11-12  80-  83 

Famine  in  Egypt,  XXXII,  Gen.  41:46-57  -  44-  45 
Father,  A  Compassionate,  XIII,  Luke  15:10-15,  17-24  -  26-27 

Fear,  XII,  Prov.  22:1-6,  9-10  25-26 

XIV,  Psalm  34:7-8  -  28 

Feast  for  the  Poor,  CXXV,  Luke  14:12-14  -  -  144-145 

Fidelity  Rewarded,  LXXXVIII,  Matt.  25:14-23  -  98-99 
Finite  Compared  with  Infinite,  CXLIII,  Job  9:2-12, 

14-15,  19-21,  32,  33;  11:7-9  -  167-169 

Forerunner,  The  Lord's,  CXXXI,  Is.  40:3-8  -  153 


182 


Topical  Index. 


Forgiveness,   CXXXIII,    Matt.    18:21-22;    Luke  17:13; 

Gal.  6:1 
Future,  A  Glorious,  XCVI,  Micah  4:1-4,  6-7 


156 
108 

25 


to 


Generosity,  XI,  Eccl.  ii :  1,2 

God,  The  Deliverer,  CXXIX,  Ps.  18:1-32,  35,  36,  46    149-151 

His  Glory,  XIX,  Ps.  8:  i,  3,  9      - 

His  Grace,  LXII,  Isaiah  32:  17 

His  Justice,  CXXIII,  Ezek.  33:  8-19 

His  Law  in  the  Heart,  CXXII,  Jer.  31:28-31 

In  Nature,  CX,  Psalm  104 

His  Power,  CXXXI,  Is.  40:10-15,  17 

Will  sustain    the  Disappointed     who    Look 
Him,  CXXI,  Psalms  55,  6-8,  12,  14,  16-22 
Godliness,  XXXIV,  I  Tim.  6:  6-12. 
Good,  X,  Psalm  34: 11-22  .... 

Gratitude,  XVII,  Psalm  100 

LXXXV,  ist  Sam.  12:24       - 

Harshness  Rebuked,  II,  Mark  10:13-16    - 

Healer,  A,  XXII,  Psalm  147:3 

Help  from  God,  LXVI,  Jer.  17:5-11,  14    - 

Holiness  of  God,  CVIII,  Rev.  4:8,  Is.  6:3,  Ex.  15:11 

Holy  One,  The,  CXXXII,  Is.  40:21-31      - 

Honor  to  Parents,  VII,  Prov.  i  :8 

to  Children,  II,  Mark  10:16 

Hope,  CXXIV,  Psalm  31 :24,  Lam.  3:26,  Rom.  8:24-25 
Humility,  XII,  Prov.  22:4 

XXXIX,  Luke  14:7-11 
XVII,  Psalm  131:1 

Ice,  XXII,  Psalm  147:17 

Idols  Prohibited,  XX,  Ex.  20:3,  4,  5,  6      - 

Industry,  IV,  Prov.  28:19 

Ingratitude,  CXLI,  Matt.  18:23-35 

Iniquity,  XCVI,  Is.  59:1-4,  6-19 

Injustice,  VII,  Prov.  1 1  :i    - 

Integrity,  Samuel's,  LXXXV,  ist  Sam'l  12:1-5 


30-31 

54 

142-144 

140-141 

124-127 

154 

139-14° 
So 
24 
30 
95 

17 
34 

75 

I2I-I22 

154-155 

21 

17 

I44 

25 

53 
29 

34 
3i 
'9 

165-166 
104-106 

22 

94-95 


Topical  Index.  183 


Joseph  in  Trouble,  XXVII,  Gen.  37:15-24  -  38-  39 

Sold  Into  Slavery,  XXVIII,  Gen.  37:25-36  37-  40 

Dreams  of,  XXVI,  Gen.  37:3-14  -  37-  38 

Interpretation  of,  XXX,  Gen.  41:17-36        -  42-  43 

in  Honor,  XXXI,  Gen.  41 :38-45  -  43-  44 

Brethren  of,  XXXIII,  Gen.  42:2-6,  8-9,  17-25  45-  46 
Makes     Himself     Known    to    His    Brethren, 
XXXIV,  Gen.  43:1-2,  13-14,  16-17,  27-28; 

45:4,9-10,  25-28  -  47-  48 
Family   of,  XXXV,  Gen.   47:4,  5-6,7-10;  50:1, 

15-22  48-  49 

Joy,  III,  Psalm  5:11                                         -  18 

Hymn  of,  VI,  Ps.  23  21 

LXXX,  Is.  55:12-15      -  80 

Justice,  VII,  Prov.  11:1  22 

XLIII,   Psalm    9:7-10,    18            -  55 

Kindness,  XVII,  Ps.  41:1-2;  Isaiah  32:8         -  29 

LXXXIII,  Luke  10:29-37         -  -  92-  93 

King  of  Glory,  XXI.  Ps.  24:1-5,  7-10  33 

Labor,  XX,  Ex.  20:9  32 

Last  Days,  CXLIV,  Mai.  3:1-5,  13-18  -                         -  169-170 

Law,  CII,  Ps.  119:1-13,  29-37  115-116 
Laws,  Ancient,   XLVI,     Ex.   22:1-3,    22,     23,    25;   Ex. 

20:1-2,  7-9;  Deut.  24:14-15  -  56-  57 

Righteous,  LXIII,  Lev.  19:30-37;  Zech.   8:16-17   70-71 

Righteous,   CVIII,  ,Lev.  19:3-4,  11-18             -  122-123 

The  New,  LII,  Matt.  5:43 -48  60 

Leviathan,  CXIX,  Job  41                                                -  134-136 

Liberality,  XI,  Eccl.  11:1-2  25 

Life,  XII,  Prov.  22:4      -  26 

A  Vision  of,  LVI,  Psalm  90:1-2,  4,  9,  10      -  62 

Light,  XI,  Eccl.  11:7      -  25 

Lord,  A  Call  From,  LXXX,  Is  55:1-11     -  89 

The,  Our  Leader,  CVI,  Deut.  32:1-12               -  120-121 


184  Topical  Index. 

Love,  CXLIX,   I  Cor.   13  -  177-178 

The  Great  Commandments,  I,  Mark   12:30-31  17 

The   Great   Commandments,  LV,   Deut.  6:5-7  62 
The  Great   Commandments,  LXXXIII,  Luke 

10:27-28                -  92 

XCV,  Rom.  13:10  107 

LII,  Matt.  5:43-48       -  60 

Lying,  VII,  Prov.  12:19-22         -  22 

Man,  His  Noble  Position,  XIV,  Psalm  8                           -  30-31 
Meditation,    Morning    and    Evening,    III,  Psalm    3:5; 

I39>i7.  *8,  23,  24;  5:3,  4,  ii ;  4:8  -  18 

Merciful,  The,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:7    -  35 

Mercy,  LXXXIV,  Psalm  103:8-18      -  93-94 

Message,  of  John,  CXVII,   Luke  3:10-14                         -  133 
of   God,   CXVIII,    John    18:19-20,  Is.  45:18; 

15.48:16-18     -  134 

Mines,  The,  LXXVIII,  Job  28:1  n                                    -  87-88 

Mischief,  VII,  Prov.  10:23;  12:21         -  22 
Moses,  Farewell  of,  CIV,  Deut.  30:11-20;  31 :6    -              118-119 

Mourning,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:4     -  35 

Murder,  XX,  Ex.  20:13        -  32 

Name,  A  Good,  XII,  Prov.  22:1  25 

Nature,  LVII,  Job  36:26-28;  37'5-i3,  H'16.  18,  22,  23  63-64 

LIX,  Psalm  19:9-19                                                  -  66-67 

LXI,  Psalm  65:8-13      -  69-70 

Mysteries    of,   CXLVI,  Job   38:1-7,  12,  16,  41; 

39'9-I5»    19-22,   26-30;    40:1-14;  42:1-6          171-176 

Neighbor,  Who  is  My,  LXXXIII,  Luke  10:29-37          -  92-93 

Night,  III,  Ps.  4:8  18 

Obedience,  to  God,  XX,  Ex.  20:6:1  32 

to  Parents,  XX,  Ex.  20:12  32 

Rewards  of,  XXIV,  Prov.  3:1-6         -            -  35-36 

Reward  of,  XC,  Deut.  11:13-15  101 
Value     of,      Illustrated,     LXXIV,     Matt. 

7^4-27 85 


Topical  Index. 


185 


Omnipresence  of  God,  LXXIII,  Psalm  139:1-12  84 

Patriotism,  Duties  of,  XCV,  Rom,  13:1-10   -  -         106-107 

Peace,  X  Psalm,  34:14  24 

XCVI,  Micah4:3     -  -        108 

cm,  PS.  37:3-"  JI7 

Peacemakers,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:9    -  35 

Perpetuity,  National,  CIV,  Deut.  30:11-20;  31:6  -        118-119 

Persecution,  Conduct  in,  XXIII,  Matt.  5:10,  n,  12  -           35 

Pharaoh,  Dreams  of,  XXIX,  Gen.  41:1-16      -  -         40-41 

Poor,  XII,  Prov.  22:2  25 

XIV,  Psalm  34:1-10                                   -  27-  28 

Help  Gladly,  XXXVIII,  Deut.  15:7-8,  io-n  52 

Praise,  XXV,  Psalm  29:1-5;  7-8,  n       -  36 

LI V,  Psalm  150;  113:3        -  61 

To  God,  LXX,  Psalm  145        -  .79-80 

LXXXIV,  Psalm  103:20-22  94 

Prayer,  The  Lord's,  V,  Matt.  6:9-13  20 

LVI,  Psalm  90:12,  14-17  -  62-  63 

XC,  Ps.  27:7-12  •       loo-ioi 

Encouragement  to,  CXXII,  Matt.  7:7-11  •        141 

Sincere,  CXLV,  Eccl.  5:1-5     -  -      170-171 

Prosperity,  Personal,  VIII,  Psalm  1 13  23 

XCI,  Deut.  11:13-15                        •  •       101-102 

Protection  and  Deliverance,  XIV,  Ps.  34:1-10    -  -  27-  28 

Protector,  The,  LIII,  Psalm  121  -         60-  61 

Proverbs,  VII,  Prov.    1:8;    10:19;     10:21-23;    16:24,32; 

12:19-22;  ii  :T,  18,  24,  26     -  -  21-  22 

XII,  Prov.  22:1-6, 9-10  -         25-  26 

XLVIII,  P  rov.  20:1,  3-7,  9-io  58 

LVIII,  Prov.  27:1-12  65 

LX,  Prov.  3:11-35  -  67-  69 

LXIV,  Prov.  11:1-14  -         72-  73 

LXVIII,  Prov.    15:1-16  -    76-77 

LXIX,  Prov.  15:17-28,  30,  33  -         78-  79 

CXIII,  Prov.  14:23-34    -  129-130 

Providence,  LXXVI,  Ps.  33:11-22        ...  86 


1 86  Topical  Index. 


Prudence,  XI,  Eccl.  ii  :6     -  25 

XII,  Prov.  22:3        -  26 

Punishment,  XII,  Prov.  22:3  26 

Purity,  XXI,  Psalm  24;  3,  4,  5  33 

Rashness,  IV,  Prov.  21 :5    -  19 

Reaping,  XLI,  Gal.  6:7-9  54 

Reconciliation,  CXXXIII,  Matt.  18:15-17  -         156 

Repentance,  XIII,  Luke  15:10,  15,  16,  24  -                        26-27 

LXXXVI,  Ezek.  18:30-32  96 

Resolutions  for  a  Ruler,  C,  Ps.  101  :i-7  113 

Responsibility,  Personal,  LXXXVI,  Ezek.  18:19-28        -     95-96 

Rest,  CIII,  Ps.  37:3-11  -  •                            H7 

Reverence,  XX,  Ex.  20:7    -  32 

Reward,  VII,  Prov.  11:18  22 

Rich,  XII,  Prov.  22:2  25 

Riches,  VII,  Prov.  10:22  22 

XII,  Prov.  22:4      -  25 

Righteousness,  The  Call  to,  LXVII,  Matt.  9:10-13  -                 76 

Rule,  Our,  LXI,  Ps.  65       -  -    69-70 

Ruler,  The  Divine,  LXXXVII,  Ps.  72:1-11  -                             97 

Resolutions  fora,  C,  101:1-7  -        113 

Rules  of  Conduct,  CXI,  Rom.  12:8-21  -       117-118 

Ruth,  LXXI,  Ruth   1:1-11,  14-18  -     80-82 

LXXII,  Ruth,  1:22,  2:1-8,  10-12  82-83 

Sabbath,  XX,  Ex.  20:8,  10  -  32 

Scornful,  XII,  Prov.  22:10        -  26 

Shepherd,  The  Lord  My,  VI,  Psalm  23    -  21 
Shipwreck  and  Rescue  of  Paul,  CXX,  Acts  27:9-20, 

27-29.  39-44        •  137-139 

Sin,  LI,  Hosea,  4:1,3,  Psalm  32:10       -  59 

brings     Calamity,    CXXXIV,    Amos    5:7-15,   24; 

Matt.    26:14-16-,  Matt.  27:3-5  -       I56~i5s 

Singing,  XVIII,  Psalm  100:2        -  3° 

Slackness,  IV,  Prov.  10:4  19 

Slothfulness,  IV,  Prov.  12:24  19 


Topical  Index.  1 8  7 


Snares,  XII,  Prov.  22:5  25 

Snow,  XXII,  Psalm  147:16              -            -  34 

Son,  The  Prodigal,  XIII,  Luke  15:10-15,  17-24  26-27 

Sower,  Parable  of  the,  LXII,  Matt.  13:3-9,  18-23  -     70-71 

Spring,  XVI,  Sol.  Song  2:11-13  29 

Stability,  XL,  Psalm  15       -  -     53-54 

Stars,  XXII,  Psalm  147:4  34 

Stealing,  XX,  Ex.  20:15      -                                     -  32 

XLVI,  Ex.  22:1-3      -  56.57 

Success,  VIII,  Psalm  i  23 

Sufferer,  The  Holy  and  Victorious,  CXXX,  Is.  53  -        152-153 

Superiority  of  Man,  XIX,  Psalm   8:3-8     -  -     30-31 

Supplication,  III,  Ps.  39'23»  24  18 

X,  Ps.  34:15  24 

of  a  Statesman's,  XLV,  ist  Kings,  8:57,  58          56 

XC,  Psalm  27:7-12    -  IOO-TOI 

Support  of   Law  and  Prophecy,  XCVII,  Matt.  22:37-40        109 

Thanksgiving,  Causes    for,    XXII,  Ps.   147:1,3,  4,5-9, 

"•18  -     33-34 

A  Hymn  of,  XLIV,  Psalm  146  55-56 

Thoughts,  Right,  L,  Phil.  4:8        -  59 

Tongue,  X,  Psalm  34:3  24 

CXXXVIII,  Jas.  3:2-12    -  162-163 

Unfaithfulness  Punished,   LXXXVIII,   Matt.   25:2430    98-99 

Virtue  and  True  Knowledge   bring  Blessing,  CXLII, 

Jer.  9:23-24;  10:23-24  -       166-167 

Voice  of  the  Lord,  The,  XXV,  Ps.  29:1-5,  7-8,  n  36 

Watchfulness,  CV,  Matt.  24:42-51         -  -      119-120 

Wicked,  VIII,  Ps.  i  :4-6        -  23 

XXXVII,  Prov.  4:14,  17,  19  51 

Wind,  XI,  Eccl.  11:4 25 


1 88  Topical  Index. 


Wisdom,  A  Story  of,  IX,  Eccl.  9:14,  15  23 

Worth  of,  XXXVII,  Prov.  4:5,  9,  n,  13  -     50-51 

Value  of,  LXXIX,  Job  28:12-19  88-89 

What  is  it?  LXXIX,  Job  29:20-28  89 

XCIX,  Prov.  8  -       110-112 

CXXXIX.Jas.  3:13-18    -  -         163 

Woman,  The  Ideal,  CI,  Prov.  31  :io-3i  -       113-115 

Words,  XLVII,  Matt.  12:34-37,  Ps.  119:163  57~58 

Worship  in  God's  House,  LXXXIX,  Ps.  27:4-6  -         100 


INDEX  OF  TEXTS. 


GENESIS. 

30: 

11-20 

118 

4:     2-12 

102 

6 

119 

37:     3-14    ' 

37 

32: 

I-I2 

120 

37:  15-24 

38 

RUTH. 

39 

41:     i  16 

40 

i: 

i-n,  14-18 

81 

41:  17-36    - 

42 

i: 

22      - 

82 

41:  38-45 

43 

2: 

1-8,10-12     - 

82 

41:  46-57    - 

44 

42:     2-6,  8-9,  17-25 

45 

I.  SAMUEL. 

43:     1-2,    13-14.      16-17, 
27-28    - 

47 

12: 

i-5,  23-24        - 

94-95 

45:     4,9-10,25-28- 
47:    J»  5'6,  7'10 

47 
48 

I.  KINGS. 

50:  1,  15-22 

49 

8: 

57-58        -        -        - 

•8 

EXODUS. 

15:  ii 

122 

I.  CHRONICLE. 

20:    3-17 

31 

29: 

ii 

122 

22:    1-5,  22-23,  25      - 

56 

23:     1-2,  7-9  - 

57 

JOB. 

5: 

6-23,  26       - 

I46 

LEVITICUS. 

9: 

2-12,     14-15,      19-21, 

19:    3,  4,  n-iS  - 

122 

32-33 

I67 

19:  30-37 

72 

n: 

7-9      - 

l69 

28: 

i-n        -.-...- 

o7 

NUMBERS. 
6:  24-26    - 

178 

28: 
36: 

37: 

12-28    - 
26-28 
5-13,      14-16,       1  8, 

63 

DEUTERONOMY. 

38: 

22-23   - 

1-7,  12,  16-27,  31-41 

64 
171 

6:     5-7 

62 

39: 

9-15,  19-22,  26-30     - 

173 

n:  13-23    ' 

IOI 

40: 

I-I4     - 

175 

15:    7-8,  10-11 

52 

41: 

. 

134 

24:  14-15    - 

57 

42: 

1-6      - 

176 

[89 


190 


Index  of  Texts. 


PSALMS. 

Z42: 

128 

1-7 

z: 

- 

23 

145: 

... 

79 

3: 

146: 

. 

55 

4: 

8 

18 

M?: 

1,3,4.5-9,  "-IS 

33 

5: 

3-4 

18 

zso: 

61 

ii 

18 

9: 

7-10  ,18      - 

54 

PROVERBS. 

*5: 

.... 

53 

18: 

19: 
23: 

1-4,6-19 

23 

3: 
3: 
4: 

1-6      - 
n-35 

21 
50 

24: 

i-5»  7-io 

33 

8: 

. 

I  IO 

27: 

i  6      - 

99 

zo: 

4 

9 

27: 
29: 

7.12        -        .        . 
1-5,7-8,  ii  - 

IOO 

36 

zo: 

zz: 

19-8-23     - 

:7 

21 
22 

32: 
33: 
34: 
34: 
37; 

24 

10 
11-22            ... 
I-IO     - 
11-22            ... 

3-n    - 

144 

11 

27 

24 
117 

zz: 
zi: 
12: 
12: 

15: 

1-14 
18,  24,  26 
19-22        ... 
24 

23-34 
1-16    - 

72 
22 

22 

19 
I29 

76 

42: 
46: 

1-2              ... 
1,2,8-11       - 

29 
87 
28 

15: 
z6: 
20: 

17-28,  30,  33    - 
24-32    - 

78 
22 
58 

Si: 

I,  2,   10-17    - 
6-8,  I2-I.J,   16-22        - 

74 
139 

21: 
22: 

5* 
1-6,  9-10 

19 

25 

1 

90: 

1-14 

z,   2,   4,  9,    10,    12, 

14-17 

7° 
98 
130 

63 

22: 

3! 

3i: 

29 

I-I2 
I9-2O     - 
10-31 

29 
65 
19 

"3 

91: 

2             ... 

83 

zoo: 

..... 

T      T      "> 

ECCLESIASTES. 

zoz. 
Z03: 

1-7        ... 

8-22 

1  16 
93 

5: 

171 

1  5 

zo4: 

.... 

124 

9: 

o 

23 

zzs: 

119: 

3    .... 
1-13,  29-37 

61 
"5 

9*. 
zz: 

18         -         -         - 
6,  1-2,  7,  4       - 

25 
25 

119: 
zi9: 

?63105  - 

109 

12: 

£4  '---•- 

i?8 

Z2z: 

61 

131: 

i 

o9 

SOLOMON'S   SONG. 

139: 

I-I2 

84 

139: 

17-18     - 

18 

2: 

11-13    - 

29 

Index  of  Texts. 


191 


ISAIAH. 

MICAH. 

i:  16-20 
5:  20-30   - 

159 

A:    1-4,6-7  - 
6:    6,  8-14 

108 
161 

6:    3    - 

122 

7:    8-9,  18-19 

162 

J59 

26:    2-4 

28 

32:    8         -        -        - 

29 

HABAKKUK. 

32:  17    - 

54 

33:  15-16    - 

123 

3:  17-18    - 

178 

35:    

I3I 

40:    3-8,  10-15,  17 

153 

ZECHARIAH. 

40:  21-31 
41:  10 

154 
29 

8:  16,17        -        - 

72 

45:  18,  19 

48:  16-18    - 

134 

MALACHI. 

53:    

54:  10 

152 

54 

3:     1-5,  13-18   - 

169 

55:    

89 

59:    1-4,6-19     - 

104 

MATTHEW. 

60:       I,  2,   17-22 

132 

5:     3-12 

35 

61;    1-2     ... 

91 

5:     16       -        -        - 

121 

JEREMIAH. 

5:  43-48        -        -        - 
6:    1-4     - 

60 
91 

5:  21-31 

103 

6:    5-8 

86 

7:    5-7,  23 

1  66 

6:    9-13    - 

20 

9:  23-24 

if7 

6:  19-21 

I46 

10:  23-24    - 

167 

7:    7-n    - 

141 

17:    5-n,  14 

75 

7:  24-27 

85 

31:  28-34    -        -        - 

140 

9:  10-13    - 

76 

n:  20-24 

160 

LAMENTATIONS. 

12:  34-37    - 

57 

3:  26     -        -        -        - 

144 

13:    3-9»  18-23 
18:  15-17,  21-22 

70 

EZEKIEL. 
3:  18-21    - 
18:  19-28,  30-32 
33:    8-9     ... 

142 

95 
142 

18:  23-35 
22:  37-40    - 
24:  42-51 
25:  14-20    - 
26:  14-16 

109 
119 
98 

HOSEA. 

27:    3-5      •        '        ' 

158 

4:     l>  3 

59 

MARK. 

AMOS. 

10:  13-16    - 

17 

5:    7-15,23,24 

156 

12:  30-31 

*7 

192 


Index  of  Texts. 


T  TT  V  T? 

_  -./• 

Li\J  Jvr/. 

T56 

3: 

10-14   - 

133 

7-9     - 

54 

io  : 

25-37 

93 

12: 

13-21    - 

159 

EPHESIANS. 

M: 

7-11 

53 

T  A  A 

4: 

28,  29,  31 

H7 

14. 

12-14    - 

144 

5: 

11-12      - 

147 

14: 

15-24 

148 

IS: 

17: 

10-15,  17-24 
3     .... 

26 
156 

I.  TIMOTHY. 

6: 

6-12 

50 

JOHN. 

18: 

19-20    - 

134 

PHILEMON. 

4: 

8         ... 

59 

ACTS. 

27: 

9-20,  27-29,  39-44    - 

137 

JAMES. 

2: 

8    - 

148 

ROMANS. 

3: 

2-12     - 

162 

8: 

24-25    - 

144 

I3-I8 

163 

12: 

8-21        -        - 

127 

3: 

26-27     - 

59 

n: 

I-IO     - 

106 

*o* 

JUDE. 

I.  CORINTHIANS. 

T  nc\ 

i  . 

179 

J-. 

. 

177 

REVELATION. 

GALATIANS. 

4: 

8         ... 

121 

5: 

22-23    - 

148 

21  : 

3,4 

121 

XJNITEHSITT 

OF 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 

AN  INITIAL  PINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  5O  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


MAY    5    1936 


urcr 


LD21-100m-7,'33 


VB  2 1 833 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


